Fasteners and springs for building wall reinforcement

ABSTRACT

A building wall includes a stud wall with a horizontal wall member; a tie rod operably anchored in a foundation, the tie rod extending through the wall member; a first fastener and a second fastener attached to the tie rod, the first fastener and the second fastener being slidable down the tie rod, first fastener being operably disposed on the wall member and lockable to the tie rod in an upward direction to resist uplift forces from the stud wall, and the second fastener being disposed above the first fastener resist the spring; and a spring operably operating on the first fastener and the second fastener to urge the first fastener downwardly toward the wall member, the second fastener being disposed above the first fastener and lockable to the tie rod in the upward direction to restrain the spring.

RELATED APPLICATION

This is a nonprovisional application claiming the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/352,331, filed Jun. 15, 2022, hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to reinforced building walls and specifically to fasteners and springs for use in hold down systems for reinforcing building walls against uplift forces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Reinforced building walls using threaded rods anchored to the foundation are disclosed in the prior art. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,951,078, 7,762,030, 8,136,318, 8,943,777, 9,097,000, 9,097,001, 9,416,530 and 9,874,009, hereby incorporated herein by reference. These walls are designed to hold the walls against tension loads or forces caused by earthquakes and/or high winds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a single spring for providing tension to a tie rod.

The present invention also provides for a hold down fastener that travels down the tie rod and resists uplift from the wall.

The present invention provides a spring that provides tension to the tie rod and a hold down fastener that travels down the rod independently of the spring.

The present invention provides a spring that provides tension to the tie rod and actuation to a hold down fastener that travels down the rod.

The present invention is also directed to a spring for providing tension to a rod where the spring is pre-compressed prior to installation.

The present invention is directed to a spring for providing tension to a rod where the spring is smaller in diameter than the rod.

The present invention also provides a spring for providing tension to a rod and for pushing and moving down part of a hold down fastener as the wall member on which it is supported moves down due to wall settlement or shrinkage.

The present invention provides a spring for providing tension to a rod and moving down a hold down fastener, where the spring is independent from another spring used to actuate the hold down fastener.

The present invention also provides two fasteners, one on top of the other, for sharing load.

The present invention provides an upper fastener and a lower fastener and a spring for providing tension to the rod, where the spring also moves the lower fastener down with the wall member and provides load sharing between the fasteners when the spring is solid (coils completely compressed and adjacent coils touching each other).

The present invention also provides a fastener with integrated bearing plate.

The present invention provides a hold down fastener assembly, including a lower fastener to resist uplift forces, an upper fastener for holding a spring between the upper and lower fasteners in place, where the upper fastener's holding strength is less than the lower fastener's against the uplift forces, and the upper fastener is made of plastic.

The present invention also provides a plastic fastener for holding a spring to a rod where the spring is integrated with the fastener with spring force sufficient to actuate a hold down fastener as the wall member moves down due to wall settlement or shrinkage, and where the plastic fastener is color coded for the size of the rod, the force to actuate the hold down fastener to the maximum travel.

The present invention provides a hold down fastener including a cylindrical or tubular member with an opening, angled slots or holes in the wall of the cylindrical or tubular member, the slots or holes communicating with the axial opening, pins or spring clips in respective slots that lock within the pitch of the threads of the rod when an upward force is exerted on the cylindrical or tubular member and disengage from the pitch of the threads when a downward force is placed on the cylindrical member.

The present invention also provides a hold down fastener including a body with an opening, the body including flexible fingers that bear on the flanks of the threads of the rod when an upward force is exerted on the body and pull away when a downward force is placed on the body.

The present invention provides a hold down fastener assembly, including a lower fastener to resist uplift forces, an upper fastener for holding a spring between the upper, and the spring is pre-compressed prior to installation.

The present invention provides a hold down fastener assembly, including a lower fastener to resist uplift forces, an upper fastener for holding a spring between the upper, the spring is pre-compressed and attached to the upper fastener or both the upper and lower fasteners prior to installation.

The present invention provides a hold down fastener assembly, including a lower fastener to resist uplift forces, the lower fastener including an actuation spring for actuating the lower fastener down with the wall member, and an upper fastener for holding a rod tension spring to the rod for providing tension to the rod, and the actuation spring is independent of the rod tension spring.

The present invention also provides a hold down system for a multi-story building, including a spring to hold a tie rod under tension attached to the end of the rod at the floor, and a hold down fastener attached to the rod at a lower floor.

The present invention provides a building wall, comprising a stud wall including a horizontal wall member; a tie rod operably anchored in a foundation, the tie rod extending through the wall member; a first fastener and a second fastener attached to the tie rod, the first fastener and the second fastener being slidable down the tie rod, first fastener being operably disposed on the wall member and lockable to the tie rod in an upward direction to resist uplift forces from the stud wall, and the second fastener being disposed above the first fastener resist the spring; and a spring operably operating on the first fastener and the second fastener to urge the first fastener downwardly toward the wall member, the second fastener being disposed above the first fastener and lockable to the tie rod in the upward direction to restrain the spring.

The present invention also provides a building wall, comprising a stud wall including a horizontal wall member; a tie rod operably anchored in a foundation, the tie rod extending through the wall member, the tie rod having a weight below the wall member; and a spring having one end operably bearing on the wall member and an opposite end being operably fixed to the rod, the spring providing sufficient force equal to about one half of the weight of the rod below to the next spring or fastener below.

The present invention further provides a building wall, comprising a stud wall including a horizontal wall member; a tie rod operably anchored in a foundation, the tie rod extending through the wall member; and a spring disposed below the wall member, the spring having first end operably attached to the wall member and a second end being operably fixed to the rod, the spring being stretched to provide tension to the tie rod.

The present invention provides a building wall, comprising a stud wall including a horizontal wall member; a tie rod operably anchored in a foundation, the tie rod extending through the wall member; an inner cylindrical member disposed inside an outer cylindrical member, the inner cylindrical member being operably attached to the tie rod inside the outer cylindrical member, the outer cylindrical member operably bearing on the wall member, the outer cylindrical member being movable in a downward direction relative to the inner cylindrical member, and lockable to the inner cylindrical member in an upward direction; and a first spring operably operating on the inner cylindrical member and the outer cylindrical member, the first spring urging the outer cylindrical member downward toward the wall member, the inner cylindrical member restraining the first spring in the upward direction.

The present invention further provides a building wall, comprising a stud wall including a horizontal wall member; a tie rod operably anchored in a foundation, the tie rod extending through the stud wall; and a first fastener attached to the tie rod and the wall member, the first fastener being movable with the wall member in a downward direction, and lockable to the to the tie rod in an upward direction.

The present invention further provides a building wall, comprising a stud wall including a horizontal wall member; a tie rod operably anchored in a foundation, the tie rod extending through the stud wall; and a bracket attached to the stud wall, the bracket including a backwall, side walls and a bottom wall, the backwall being operably attached to the stud wall, the bottom wall being disposed on the wall member; a first fastener operably attached to the tie rod to bear on the bottom wall; a spring operably attached to the tie rod and bearing on the first fastener, the first fastener being movable in a downward direction relative to the tie rod, and lockable to the to the tie rod in an upward direction.

The present invention provides a building wall, comprising a first stud wall including a top plate and a second stud wall above the first stud wall, the second stud wall including a bottom plate; a rod extending through the top plate and the bottom plate; a first bracket operably attached to the first stud wall and the top plate, the first bracket including a first backwall and a first bottom wall; a second bracket operably attached to the second stud wall and the bottom plate, the second bracket including a second backwall and a second bottom wall; a first fastener operably attached to the rod to bear on the first bottom wall; and a second fastener to bear on the second bottom wall.

The present invention also provides a fastener for attaching a threaded tie rod to a wall member, the fastener comprising a body with an opening for receiving a threaded tie rod; and the body including flexible fingers disposed in the opening, the flexible fingers for engaging the threads of the tie rod that allow sliding of the body along the tie rod in a first direction and resists movement in a second direction.

The present invention further provides a fastener for attaching a threaded tie rod to a wall member, the fastener comprising a plastic housing with a metal bottom wall; nut segments disposed on the metal bottom wall; the metal bottom wall including a ramp surface for guiding the nut segments away from the threads of the tie rod when the fastener is slid down the tie rod; and the housing including plastic springs for urging the nut segments toward the metal bottom wall to engage the threads of the tie rod.

The present invention provides a fastener for attaching a threaded tie rod to a wall member, the fastener comprising a housing including a bottom wall with a ramp surface; nut segments disposed inside the housing; and a silicone body disposed inside the housing to urge the nut segments toward the bottom wall to engage the threads of the tie rod.

The present invention also provides a fastener for attaching a threaded tie rod to a wall member, the fastener comprising a housing including a bottom wall with a ramp surface; nut segments disposed inside the housing; and the housing including plastic springs for urging the nut segments toward the bottom wall to engage the threads of the tie rod.

The present invention further provides a fastener for attaching a threaded tie rod to a wall member, the fastener comprising a sleeve member with an opening for receiving the threaded tie rod; and the sleeve member including a projection inside the opening for engaging the threads of the tie rod.

The present invention provides a fastener for attaching a threaded tie rod to a wall member, the fastener comprising a cylindrical body with an opening for receiving the tie rod; the body including an angled slot with a bottom portion opening into the opening; a pin disposed in the slot, the pin including a portion exposed in opening for engaging the threads of the tie rod, the pin being displaced upwardly into the slot when the cylindrical body is slid down the tie rod, the pin locking into the threads of the tie rod when the cylindrical body is urged upwardly along the tie rod.

The present invention also provides a fastener for attaching a threaded tie rod to a wall member, the fastener comprising a body with an opening for receiving the tie rod; the body including a first angled slotted hole with a first bottom portion opening into the opening, and a second angled slotted hole with a second bottom portion opening into the opening, the first angled slotted hole being diametrically opposite the second angled slotted hole; a spring clip including a first pin portion disposed in the first angled slotted hole, and a second pin portion disposed in the second angled slotted hole, the first pin portion and the second pin portion including respective intermediate portions exposed in the opening for engaging the threads of the tie rod; and the first pin portion and the second pin portion being displaced upwardly into the respective the first angled slotted hole and the second angled slotted hole when the body is slid downwardly along the tie rod, the respective intermediate portions locking into the threads of the tie rod when the second body is urged upwardly along the tie rod.

The present invention further provides a fastener for attaching a threaded tie rod to a wall member, the fastener comprising a body with an opening for receiving the tie rod; the body including an angled slotted hole with a bottom portion opening into the opening; and the spring clip fastener including a pin portion disposed in the angled slotted hole, the pin portion including an intermediate portion exposed in the opening for engaging the threads of the tie rod, the pin portion being displaced upwardly into the slotted angled hole when the body is slid downwardly along the tie rod, the pin portion locking into the threads of the tie rod when the second body is urged upwardly along the tie rod.

The present invention provides a fastener for attaching a threaded tie rod to a wall member, the fastener comprising a body with an opening for receiving the tie rod; the body including an angled hole disposed transversely into the body, the angled hole communicating with the opening; and a dowel disposed in the angled hole for engaging the threads of the tie rod, with a bottom portion opening into the opening, the dowel being displaced upwardly into the angled hole when the body is slid downwardly along the tie rod, the dowel locking into the threads of the tie rod when the body is urged upwardly along the tie rod.

The present invention also provides a fastener assembly for attaching a threaded tie rod to a wall member, the fastener assembly comprising a first fastener and a second fastener, the first fastener being distinct and separate from the second fastener; a pre-compressed spring operably attached to the first fastener and the second fastener as a single unit; and the first fastener and the second fastener are slidable down the tie rod and lockable to the threads of the tie rod when pushed up along the tie rod.

The present invention further provides a pre-compressed spring assembly for attachment to a tie rod in a building wall, comprising coil spring in a pre-compressed state, the coil spring having sufficient diameter to slide down the tie rod; and a restraint to keep the spring in the compressed state, the restraint being releasable to activate the spring after installation.

The present invention provides a building wall, comprising a stud wall including a horizontal wall member; a tie rod operably anchored in a foundation, the tie rod extending through the wall member; a first bearing plate disposed on the wall member and a second bearing plate above the first bearing plate, the second bearing plate being operably attached to the tie rod; a first spring and a second spring disposed laterally of the tie rod, the first spring and second spring being disposed between the first bearing plate and the second bearing plate, the first spring and the second spring providing tension to the tie rod; a first guide rod and a second guide rod being operably attached to the first bearing plate and extending through the first spring and the second spring, respectively, and the second bearing plate; and a fastener attached to the tie rod, the fastener being disposed between the first bearing plate and the second bearing plate, the fastener being operably disposed on the wall member and lockable to the tie rod in an upward direction to resist uplift forces from the stud wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-10 show spring force providing tension to a rod where the spring is not pre-compressed prior to installation and a hold down fastener is not used.

FIGS. 11-83 show spring force providing tension to the rod where the spring is pre-compressed or pre-stretched prior to installation and a hold down fastener is not used.

FIGS. 84-85 show spring force providing tension to the rod and a hold down fastener above the spring where the spring does not actuate the hold down fastener and the spring is not pre-compressed prior to installation.

FIGS. 86-271 show spring force providing tension to the rod and a hold down fastener is used where the spring actuates the hold down fastener and the spring is not pre-compressed prior to installation.

FIGS. 272-284 show spring force providing tension to the rod and a hold down fastener is used, where the spring actuates the hold down, the spring is pre-compressed prior to installation, and the spring is not attached to the hold down fastener or the upper fastener that attaches the spring to the rod prior to installation.

FIGS. 285-293 show spring force providing tension to the rod and a hold down fastener is used where the spring also actuates the hold down fastener, the spring is pre-compressed prior to installation, the spring is attached to the upper fastener that attaches the spring to the rod prior to installation and the spring is not attached to the hold down fastener prior to installation.

FIGS. 294-345 show spring force providing tension to the rod and a hold down fastener is used, where the spring also actuates the hold down fastener, the spring is pre-compressed prior to installation, the spring is attached to the upper fastener that attaches the spring to the rod, and the spring is attached to the hold down fastener prior to installation.

FIGS. 346-369 show spring force providing tension to the rod and a hold down fastener and multiple springs are used, where one spring actuates the hold down fastener and provides tension to the rod, one or more springs provide tension to the rod only, and the force of all the springs on providing the rod tension is additive (cumulative).

FIGS. 370-372 shows a hold down fastener without an actuating spring.

FIGS. 373-375 show various embodiments of a flex nut fastener.

FIG. 376 shows a ring nut fastener.

FIGS. 377-387 show various embodiments of a split nut fastener.

FIGS. 388-399 show various details of a pin nut fastener.

FIGS. 401-406 show various embodiments of a flex nut fastener.

FIGS. 407-413 show spring force providing tension to a rod where the spring is not pre-compressed prior to installation and a hold down fastener is not used.

FIGS. 414-443 show spring force providing tension to the rod where the spring is pre-compressed or pre-stretched prior to installation and a hold down fastener is not used.

FIGS. 444-464 show upper and lower fasteners sharing load without a spring or with the spring providing tension to the rod in the solid state.

FIGS. 465-470 show additional views of the split nut fastener using a silicone insert as the actuation spring.

FIGS. 471-475 show additional views of the split nut fastener using metal parts for the bottom portion of the housing.

FIG. 476 shows spring force providing tension to the rod and a hold down fastener is used, where the spring also actuates the hold down fastener, the spring is pre-compressed prior to installation, the spring is attached to the upper fastener that attaches the spring to the rod, and the spring is attached to the hold down fastener prior to installation.

FIGS. 477-482 show a roller nut fastener.

FIGS. 483-488 show pin nut fasteners engaging a rod with a series of grooves along the length of the rod.

FIGS. 489-494 show spring force providing tension to the rod and a hold down fastener is used, where the spring actuates the hold down, the spring is pre-compressed prior to installation, and the spring is not attached to the hold down fastener or the upper fastener that attaches the spring to the rod prior to installation.

FIGS. 495-503 show an L-shaped bracket used in combination with a hold down fastener.

FIGS. 504-508 show spring force providing tension to the rod where the spring is pre-compressed or pre-stretched prior to installation and a hold down fastener is not used.

FIGS. 509-516 show a pre-compressed spring attached to a lower fastener and an upper fastener, the spring providing tension to the rod and actuating the lower fastener, and another spring, pre-stretched and disposed below the wall member, providing additional tension to the rod.

FIGS. 517-529 show dowel nut fasteners.

FIGS. 530-534 show various hold down systems using the springs and fasteners disclosed herein.

FIGS. 535-538 show modifications to fastener housings disclosed herein to allow attachment to the wall member.

FIGS. 530A-530B show 3-level building wall sections and fastener sequencing at each level.

FIGS. 531-534 show 3-level building wall sections using the placement of L-brackets in each level.

FIGS. 535-538 show modifications to housings of fasteners to allow attachment to a building wall member.

FIGS. 539A-539 b are schematic views of springs stacked vertically top of each other in a 3-level building wall.

FIGS. 540A-540B are schematic views of a rod tension spring in the top level of a 3-level building wall with fasteners below without actuation springs.

FIGS. 541A-541B are schematic views of a rod tension spring in the second level of a 3-level building wall with fasteners above and below without actuation springs.

FIGS. 542A-542B are schematic views of a 3-level building wall with rod tension springs at each level.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-10 , a spring 2 provides tension to a tie rod 4. The spring 2 is not pre-compressed prior to installation; compression is done during installation. A hold-down fastener for resisting uplift forces on the wall is not provided.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the tie rod 2 operably anchored to a foundation is tensioned by the spring 2 bearing on a building wall member 6, such as a top plate, bottom plate or a cross-member of a wood or steel stud wall. A stud wall is well-known in the art, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,161,350, 7,762,030, hereby incorporated by reference. The wall member 6 may be made of wood, solid metal, hollow metal, engineered lumber, composite material, plastic or other materials suitable for the purpose. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,762,030, 9,097,000, 10,870,978, 11,603,656, hereby incorporated by reference, for examples of suitable materials. The spring 2 has an upper section 8 with a smaller diameter threaded to the rod and a lower section 10 with a larger diameter bearing on the wall member 6. FIG. 1 shows the spring compressed after installation while FIG. 2 shows the spring expanded due to settlement of the wall. The spring 2 is compressed during installation.

A rod tensioning spring 2 with one end 4 narrowed to engage the corresponding threads located on a rod 4 or bolt is disclosed. The wire diameter of the spring wire 2 is configured to the thread pitch, thread angle, inner diameter, and outer diameter of the threads on the threaded rod or bolt. The wire coils with the narrowed end 8 act as a threaded hex nut fastener, providing tension and friction to prevent loosening of the wire around the threads, are all in one component.

The top coils 8 of the spring 2 screw onto the threaded rod 4. To install, the narrowed end 8 of the spring is threaded down the rod until the spring is compressed. The spring bears on the wall member 6, such as a bottom plate, top plate, or a bridge member, and causes tension in the rod. Stud wall construction, using wood or steel framing, which incorporates a bottom plate, top plate, and a bridge member, is well known in the art. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,762,030, and 9,874,009, incorporated herein by reference.

The spring 2 advantageously provides sufficient force equal to preferably about ½ of the weight of the tie rod 4 below to the next spring or fastener, if any, or to the foundation to put the tie to prevent bowing or buckling of the tie rod 2, and to push the rod above. By lifting about half of the weight of the rod below, thereby eliminating the rod upper section relative weight load from being supported by the rod lower section, depending on rod diameter to length ratio (the larger the rod diameter and the shorter the rod, the stiffer and more stable the rod is) the spring force may need to exceed one half of the rod weight because of building wall heights requiring longer rods which affects the stiffness. A stronger spring force may be needed for small diameter to length ratio to prevent bowing or buckling.

Where the tie rod 2 is equipped with one spring at each floor, each spring advantageously works with one another to lift some of the weight of the rod below the floor, about ½, to place the rod under tension and to push some of the weight of the rod above the floor. Each spring on each floor is configured to exert an upward force equal to preferably about ½ of the weight of the tie rod from the foundation or the spring or fastener below the floor (the weight of the rod between the spring on the floor and the spring on the next floor below) and some of the weight of the rod above to the next spring in the floor above. Where there are springs on each floor, the force required of each spring is advantageously reduced due to the force contribution provided by a spring below the floor and the spring above the floor.

The spring 2 when compressed solid, as shown in FIG. 1 , can effectively resist and transfer uplift forces from the wall member to the tie rod. The spring 2 when expanded, as shown in FIG. 2 , will compress when the wall member 6 lifts up, effectively dampening the uplift forces.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , a bearing plate 12 is disposed on a wall member 6. A spring 3, similar to the spring 2 but without the reduced diameter upper section 8, is compressed within an opening 11 and thickness of the bearing plate 12 with a hex nut fastener 14. The spring 3 bears on the wall member 6. The hex nut 14 bears on the bearing plate 12. If there is no shrinkage or settling of the wall structure, the nut 14 advantageously provides uplift resistance to forces uplifting the wall structure. The spring 3 provides tension for the rod 4 to keep the rod from bowing, and pushes the rod portion above the fastener upwards, and the rod that may be coupled above. The bearing plate 12 is not required to provide uplift resistance when the spring 3 is completely compressed. The uplift forces are transferred by the wall member 6 to the spring 3, the hex nut 14, and the tie rod 4.

FIG. 4 shows the spring 3 has expanded due to shrinkage and settling of the wall structure. If the wall lifts up, the spring 3 provides a dampening action to the upward movement of the wall structure.

To compress the spring 3 during installation, the nut fastener 14 is simply screwed down the tie rod 4 until the spring 3 is compressed inside the hole 11 within the thickness of the bearing plate 12. Where the bearing plate 12 is not used, the nut 14 is screwed down until the spring is sufficiently compressed to provide tension to the tie rod 4.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 , the hex nut fastener 14 is replaced with a split nut fastener 16, such as a ZIPNUT fastener, zip-nut.com. Examples of split nut fasteners are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,303,399, incorporated herein by reference. The split nut fastener is made of several segments 18 that separate from the tie rod 4 when forced downwardly into the tie rod and combine together around the tie rod when the split nut fastener 16 reacts to resist an upward force. The segments are disposed inside a housing 19. A resilient member (see FIG. 86 ), such as a split C-ring or a rubber ring held in an annular groove 20, holds the segments threaded to the rod and allows the segments to disengage from the rod when pushed down the rod. The split nut fastener 16 is equivalent to the hex nut fastener 14 in holding the spring in compression, which provides tension to the tie rod. The split nut fastener 16 is a one-way traveling split nut fastener holding the spring 3 in compression against the wall member 6, putting the rod 4 in tension and the wall member 6in compression under the spring 3.

FIG. 6 shows the spring 2 has expanded due to shrinkage and settling of the wall structure. If the wall lifts up, the spring 2 provides a dampening action to the upward movement of the wall structure.

To install, the spring is dropped down the tie rod into the hole 11 in the bearing plate 12 and the split nut fastener 16 is pushed down the rod until the spring is compressed. The spring 2 bears on the wall member 6 and the split nut fastener 16 holds the spring in compression to cause tension in the rod.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 , an actuation spring 22 is added to the split nut fastener 16 to keep the nut segments 18 at the bottom of the housing and engaged to the threads of the tie rod. The actuation spring does not contribute to providing tension to the tie rod 4; the spring 2 below the split nut fastener 16 provides the tension to the tie rod. To install, the spring 2 is dropped down the rod 4 into the hole 11 in the bearing plate 12 and the split nut fastener 16 is pushed down the rod until the spring 2 is compressed. The spring 2 bears on the building wall member 6 and the split nut 16 holds the spring 2 in compression, providing tension in the rod. The split nut fastener actuation spring 22 is compressed while the split nut fastener is being pushed down the rod, causing the nut segments 18 to separate and ride down the rod.

FIG. 8 shows the spring 2 in an expanded state after the wall member 6 has shifted downward due to wall shrinkage and settlement. If the wall lifts up, the spring 2 provides a dampening action to the upward movement of the wall structure.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 , the spring 2 that provides tension to the rod is replaced with laterally disposed springs 24 instead of being around the rod. Guide rods 25 keep the springs 24 in place while compressed or as they expand. The diameter of the lateral springs 24 and the diameter of the wire size are not dependent on the diameter of the rod 4, thus providing flexibility in sizing the springs 24. FIG. 9 shows the springs 24 expanded due to the wall shrinkage or settlement. FIG. 10 shows the springs 24 when fully compressed after installation. Cross member or bearing plate 26 or washer transfers the spring force to the nut fastener 14, which can be a split nut fastener 16 as disclosed above. The bearing plate 12 is supported on the wall member 6 shown in the above figures. The hex nut 14 keeps the upper ends of the spring 24 fixed in relative position to the rod 4.

In summary, FIGS. 1-10 disclose a spring 2, 3 or 24 that provides tension to a tie rod 4 for a building wall, one end of the spring bearing on a wall member 6 and an opposite end held fixed to the tie rod 4 by a hex nut fastener 14, split nut fastener 16, threading an end portion 6 of the spring 2 to the rod or other suitable means, the spring providing tension to the tie rod and resistance to uplift forces tending to lift the wall. It should be understood that the hex nut fastener 14, the split nut fastener 16, or the reduced diameter upper section 8 of the spring 2 serves as means for keeping the upper end of the spring 2 fixed to the rod 4.

In the following description, the spring providing tension to the rod is pre-compressed or pre-stretched prior to installation and a hold down fastener for resisting wall uplift is not used.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12 , the live coils or lower section 10 of the spring 2 of FIGS. 1 and 2 are pre-compressed with tie wire or cable tie 28 prior to installation. After installation, the tie wire or the cable tie 28 is cut above the portion where the tie wire or the cable tie is joined together, as shown in FIG. 12 , so as not to interfere with the expansion of the spring 2. When the tie wire or cable tie is cut, the spring 2 is released to provide tension to the tie rod 4. The spring 2 bears directly on the wall member 6. The tie wire or cable tie restrains the spring in the pre-compressed state and when cut releases the spring force to act on the wall member 6.

FIG. 12 shows the spring 2 in an expanded state after the wall member 6 has shifted downward due to wall shrinkage and settlement. If the wall lifts up, the spring 2 provides a dampening action to the upward movement of the wall structure.

Referring to FIGS. 13-14 , the spring 3 shown in FIGS. 3-4 is pre-compressed with tie wires 28 prior to installation. To install, the spring 3 is placed over the rod onto the building wall member 6 and the nut fastener 14 is screwed down the rod to the top of the spring. A bearing plate or washer 30 may be used on top of the wall member 6 to distribute the force of the spring on the wall member. The spring 3 advantageously has a larger diameter than the rod 4 so that the same spring 3 can be used on multiple different rod diameters.

Referring to FIG. 14 , one end of the wire 28 may be positioned close to the cut end 32 of the spring wire on each end. The spring wire ends 32 are approximately 180 degrees apart, +/−30 degrees. About half a turn of coil at each end is preferably free from the tie wires so that the spring is positioned to create space, so the cable ties 28 do not interfere with the contact area between the spring and the nut fastener 14 or the spring and the washer 30 or bearing plate. The tie wires 28 are preferably 180 degrees apart for a stable configuration. The ends 34 of the tie wires 28 are twisted or joined together at the bottom and top of the spring 3.

Referring to FIG. 15 , to activate the tension spring 3, the tie wires are cut near the twisted ends 34 to activate the spring 3. The twisted ends 34 of the tie wire may also be completely cut off, as shown in FIG. 16 . The size of the tie wire is preferably smaller than the spring wire diameter. The tie wire 28 has a malleability such that the force of the tension spring as it expands due to wall settlement or shrinkage is able to straighten the tie wire, as shown in FIG. 17 . After the tie wire is cut, it can only get pinched or stuck on one end of the tension spring but not both, so the tension spring will be free to expand.

Referring to FIGS. 18-22 , the tension spring 3 shown in FIGS. 13-17 may be pre-compressed using cable ties 36, which are positioned in the same way as the wire ties 28 to avoid contact interference with the nut fastener 14 and the washer 30 or the bearing plate 12 or the wall member 6. To activate the spring 3 after installation, the straps 38 of the cable ties 36 outside the spring 3 are cut near the heads 40. The straps 38 may be further cut to separate the heads 40 from the straps 38, if desired, as shown in FIG. 21 . The force of the spring as it expands will draw the straps 38 into the spring, as shown in FIG. 22 .

Referring to FIGS. 23-28 , a stabilizer tube 42 disposed outside or inside the spring 3 may be used to stabilize the spring to keep it from bending or twisting when pre-compressed with a single tie wire 28 or cable tie 36. The tube 42 is preferably rigid to restrain the spring 3 to a cylindrical shape when compressed asymmetrically with one tie wire 28.

FIGS. 23-25 show the tube 42 outside the spring 3 with a single tie wire 28 (or cable tie 36) keeping the spring in the compressed state.

FIGS. 26-28 show the tube 42 inside the spring 3 with a single cable tie 36 (or tie wire 28). The tube 42 inside the spring is sized to permit the rod 4 to extend therethrough.

FIGS. 30-60 shows various fixtures that keep the rod tension spring 2, 3 pre-compressed prior to installation. The fixtures replace the tie wires 28 or cable ties 36 and the stabilizer tube 42 used in FIGS. 11-28 .

Referring to FIGS. 29-34 , the spring 44 is similar to the spring 2 with the upper section 8, except for a bottom section 46 which is smaller in diameter than the middle section 48. The spring 44 held to its compressed state with a removable fixture 50 that includes a half-cylindrical recess 52 with radially inwardly directed flange portions 54 at both ends. The recess 52 receives the compressed spring middle section 48, and the flange portions 54 hold the spring in. The upper end 8 of the spring extends outside the fixture 50 and is screwed to the rod 4 in the same manner as the spring 2 (see FIG. 1 ). The fixture 50 restrains the spring in the compressed state prior to installation and is later removed after installation to release or activate the spring.

Referring to FIGS. 29-32 , the bottom section 46 of the spring may include a larger diameter than the opening 56 through which the rod 4 extends so that the bottom end 46 bears on the wall member 6, as shown in FIGS. 29-32 when the fixture 50 is removed. FIG. 31 shows the spring 44 prior to wall settlement. FIG. 32 shows the spring 44 expanded after wall settlement. The fixture is pulled radially out to activate the spring after installation. The lower end portion of the spring guides and centers the spring as it expands when the wall member moves down due to settlement or shrinkage of the wall. The bottom end 46 of the spring is slidable down the rod 4 as the spring expands. The upper end portion 8 of the spring also keeps the spring centered around the rod.

Referring to FIGS. 33-34 , the lower end 46 of the spring may also include a smaller diameter than the opening 56 through which the rod extends so that the lower end is received in the opening, and the larger diameter coils of the middle section 48 bear on the wall member 6 when the fixture 50 is removed. FIG. 34 shows the spring expanded after wall settlement. The lower end portion 46 of the spring guides and centers the spring as it expands when the wall member 6 moves down due to settlement or shrinkage of the wall. The lower end 46 of the spring is slidable down the rod as the spring expands.

Referring to FIGS. 35-38 , the spring 44 is attached to the rod 4 with a hex nut fastener 14 instead of the upper coils 8 being threaded to the rod. A bearing plate 12 or washer 30 is used to support the spring on the wall member 6. The upper end portion 8 and the lower end portion 46 of the spring keep the spring centered around the rod. The lower end portion 46 of the spring is configured to slide down the rod as the spring expands. FIG. 37 shows the spring 44 prior to expansion after the fixture 50 is removed. FIG. 38 shows the spring 44 expanded due to the wall settlement or shrinkage.

Referring to FIGS. 39-44 , the rod tension spring 3 is disposed around a fixture 58 with flexible fingers 62 with profiled edges 64 that conform to the threads of the rod 4 to lock the fixture to the tie rod 4. The outer edges of the fingers 62 are shaped to correspond to the threads of the tie rod. The fixture 58 includes partial cylindrical walls 66 with inside surfaces 68 with thread profiles that engage the threads of the tie rod 4. Flange portion 70 at an upper end of the fixture holds the upper end of the spring 3 fixed to the tie rod 4. The lower end 72 of the fixture allows the spring to expand past when the wall settles or shrinks. The flange portion 70 has a slot 74 that allows the fixture to be slipped radially toward the partial cylindrical walls 66 where the thread profiles on the inside surfaces 68 engage the threads of the tie rod 4 and the outer edges 64 of the flexible fingers 62 mesh with the threads of the tie rod, as shown in FIG. 39 . The flexible arms are preferably directed toward the center of the tie rod when the fixture is locked in place. An activation clip 76 held in the bottom portion 72 of the fixture keeps the spring from expanding prior to installation. The fixture 58 and the removable clip 76 restrain the spring 3 in the pre-compressed state prior to installation. After installation, the clip 76 is removed to release the spring from the restraint.

To install the spring, the fixture 58 with the spring 3 is slid over the rod 4 until it bottoms out on the wall member 6 and is then radially pushed to the side to engage the inside surfaces 68 of the cylindrical walls 66 with the rod 4, and past the flexible finger 62, as shown in FIGS. 43-44 . The rod 4 is now locked to the fixture 58 and the flange 70 prevents the spring from moving beyond the flange 70. The upper end of the spring is thus fixed in position relative to the rod.

The rod 4 is inside the spring 3, but the center line of the spring is not in line with the center line of the rod. The clip 76 is then removed to free up the spring to expand, as shown in FIG. 40 . The upper end of the spring remains fixed to the rod as the spring expands downwardly. The spring provides tension between the fixture 58 and the wall member 6, lifting the rod 4 while maintaining the rod in tension when the wall moves down.

The fixture can also be used without the activation clip. During installation, the spring and the fixture are slid down the rod while the fixture 58 is the position shown in FIG. 43 and pushed down to compress the spring 3 on wall member 6 until the bottom portion 72 of fixture engages the wall member at which point the fixture is slid radially to lock the fixture to the rod, as shown in FIG. 44 .

Referring to FIGS. 45-47 , the fixture of FIGS. 39-40 is modified as fixture 78 where the single central spring is replaced with multiple lateral springs 80 inside cylindrical pockets 82. The lateral springs 80 are held inside side cylindrical pockets 82 and are held compressed by an activation clip 84 held at the bottom of the cylindrical pockets 82. The diameter of the springs 80 advantageously is not dependent on the rod diameter of the rod 4. The center lines of the springs 80 are not in line with the center line of the rod. The springs 80 do not encircle the rod. The fixture 78 with the springs 80 is advantageously installed on the rod from the side, not over the top of the rod. FIG. 47 shows the activation clip 84 removed and the springs 80 expanded due to the wall settlement or shrinkage.

The fixture 78 is advantageously installed by sliding the bottom of the fixture on the wall member 6 until the flexible fingers 62 lock the fixture to the rod. The thread profiles on the partial cylindrical walls 66 engage the threads of the tie rod and the outer edges 64 of the flexible arms mesh with the threads of the tie rod, as shown in FIG. 46 . The fixture 78 allows the installation of the tension spring where there is an existing hardware, such as a coupler 86, blocking the installation of other spring assemblies which require sliding down the rod from above, such as the assembly shown in FIG. 42 .

The fixture can also be used without the activation clip 84 where there is no existing hardware on the rod. During installation, the springs 80 are pushed down on wall member 6 until the bottom portion of fixture engages the wall member at which point the fixture is slid radially to lock the fixture to the rod.

Referring to FIGS. 48-55 , a pre-compressed spring assembly 88 for applying tension to a tie rod includes a fixture 90 holding the spring 3 inside. The fixture 90 is in the shape of a half-cylindrical sleeve with a threaded washer 92 at its upper end and an inward flange 94 at its lower end. The washer and the flange keep the compressed spring in place. A groove 96 may be used to hold the threaded washer 92 in place.

To install, the assembly 88 is placed over rod and screwed down to the building wall member 6. The fixture 90 is then pulled away radially, releasing the spring from the restraint to apply tension on the rod, as shown in FIG. 50 . The spring bears on the wall member 6. The threaded washer 92 fixes the upper end of the spring 3 to the rod 4.

A second washer 98 at the bottom of the spring may be used, as shown in FIGS. 51-55 . The second washer 98 is unthreaded to allow it to slide down the rod as the spring expands after the fixture 90 is removed. The upper washer 92 may also be unthreaded, as shown in FIG. 51 , in which case a hex nut fastener 14 is used in the installation, as shown in FIGS. 53-54 . The hex nut fastener 14 holds the unthreaded washer 92 to fix the upper end of the spring to the rod.

Referring to FIGS. 56-60 , the rod tension spring 3 is disposed inside a fixture 100. The spring 3 is pre-compressed and held inside the fixture 100 with a removable clip 102. The clip 102 is held by the fixture 100 and engages the bottom of the spring to prevent the spring from expanding through the open bottom, as shown in FIG. 57 . The fixture includes four sides, a top side with an opening 104 for the rod and an open bottom. The opening 104 for the rod may be threaded or unthreaded. When the opening is unthreaded, a hex nut fastener 14 is used to fix the upper end of the fixture 100 to the rod 4. The four sides may be open for viewing the status of a fastener which may be placed inside the spring. The fixture 100 may be installed directly on the wall member 6 or on a bearing plate 12 supported by the wall member 6. The fixture 100 is used to restrain the spring in the pre-compressed state prior to installation to the tie rod. The removable clip 102 keeps the spring restrained in the pre-compressed state. After installation, the clip 102 is removed to release or activate the spring.

To install, the assembly is threaded or pushed down the rod until it engages the wall member or the bearing plate. The nut fastener is screwed down if the fixture is not threaded to the rod. The clip is then removed to activate the spring and tension the rod. FIG. 58 shows the clip removed. FIG. 59 shows the spring 3 expanded due to the wall settlement or shrinkage. The fixture has moved with spring 3. Since the spring is disposed inside the fixture, the outside diameter of the spring is dependent on the size of the fixture. FIG. 60 shows the opening 104 being threaded to the rod 4, dispensing with the hex nut fastener 14.

Referring to FIGS. 61-64 , the spring 3 is disposed outside a fixture 106 made of a first part 108 with an upper flange 110 and a second part 112 with a lower flange 114 that slides with the first part 108. The spring 3 is held between the upper flange 110 and the lower flange 114. A removable clip 116 holds the first part 108 and the second part 112 together during installation, as shown in FIGS. 61-62 . The first part 108 includes a top opening 118, which may be unthreaded, as shown in FIG. 62 , in which case a hex nut fastener 14 is used to attach the fixture to the rod. The top opening 118 may also be threaded, as shown in FIG. 63 , for threaded attachment to the rod 4.

To install, the fixture with the unthreaded top opening 118 is pushed down the rod 4 until it engages the wall member 6. The hex nut fastener 14 then fixes the top of the fixture to the rod. The fixture 106 with a threaded top opening 118 is threaded to the rod until it engages the wall member. The clip 116 is then removed to activate the spring and tension the rod, as shown in FIG. 64 . When the wall member 6 moves down due to wall settlement or shrinkage, the spring will expand, forcing the second part 112 to move relative to the first part as the second part 112 remains in contact with the wall member 6, as shown in FIG. 64 . A bearing plate 12 (see FIG. 59 , for example) may be used underneath the second part 112. The inside diameter of the spring 3 is dependent on the exterior diameter or size of the fixture 106. The fixture 106 is used to restrain the spring in the pre-compressed state prior to installation to the tie rod. The removable clip 116 keeps the spring restrained in the pre-compressed state. After installation, the clip 116 is removed to release or activate the spring.

Referring to FIGS. 65-67 , the fixture 100 shown in FIGS. 56-60 is modified as fixture 120 with the addition of an inner ring 122 that slides with the outer housing 124 when the spring 3 expands. The inner ring 122, when fixed to the outer housing with a removable clip 126 holds the pre-compressed spring prior to installation, as shown in FIGS. 65 and 66 . After installation, the clip 126 is removed to allow the inner ring 122 to move relative to the outer housing 124 when the spring 3 expands due to the wall settlement or shrinkage. The spring 3 is shown expanded in FIG. 67 where the outer housing 124 has moved up while the inner ring 122 stays engaged with the wall member 6 due the wall settlement or shrinkage.

Referring to FIGS. 68-70 , the pre-compressed spring 3 is captured outside an outer cylindrical member 128 and inner cylindrical member 130 axially movable relative to each other. The spring 3 provides rod tension and actuation force for the fastener. The inner cylindrical member 130 has an upper flange portion 132 that restrains the upper portion of the spring 3. The outer cylindrical member 128 has a lower flange portion 134 that restrains the bottom portion of the spring. A removable clip (not shown) with arm portions held in the grooves 136 holds the outer and inner cylindrical members 128, 130 together prior to installation. A hex nut fastener 14 fixes the inner cylindrical member 130 to the rod. The inner cylindrical member 130 may include a threaded opening 138 which is threaded to the rod, in which case the hex nut fastener 14 is not used, as shown in FIG. 69 .

After installation, the clip is removed to release the spring from restraint and allow it to expand as the wall settles or shrinks, as shown in FIGS. 69 and 70 , where the inner cylindrical member 130 has moved upwardly due the to the wall member 6 moving downwardly and the spring 3 expanding. The outer cylindrical member 128 remains in contact with the wall member 6 due to the spring force. The spring force is transferred to the rod 4 through the inner cylindrical member 130 threaded to the rod or through contact with the hex nut fastener 14 holding the inner cylindrical member 130 to the rod.

Referring to FIGS. 71-75 , a rotational torsional type expanding fastener 139 includes a pre-wind (pre-loaded) torsion spring 140 is operably attached to an outer cylindrical member 142 and an inner cylindrical member 144. The torsion spring 140, while providing rod tension, also provides actuation force for the fastener. A single start steep pitch thread 146, shown in FIG. 71 , or a multi-start steep thread 147 (shown in FIG. 74 ) between the opposing surfaces of the cylindrical members 142, 144 converts rotational motion to linear motion between the cylindrical members. The thread pitch is steep enough so that the assembly is back drivable when the wall member 6 lifts up (due to windstorm, earthquake, etc.) and the torsion spring 140 winds back to store energy. The assembly is used only to lift the rod 4 when the wall member 6 moves downwardly due to wall settlement or shrinkage, not as a load bearing connection.

The bottom end 152 of the spring 140 is fixedly attached to the outer cylindrical member 142. The top end 154 of the spring 140 is similarly fixed to the inner cylindrical member 144. This arrangement will cause rotational movement of the outer and cylindrical member 142 to lift the inner cylindrical member 144 as the torsional spring 140 unwinds or winds up in reaction to the down or up movement of the wall member 6.

A removable clip 148 holds the cylindrical members fixed to each other prior to installation, as shown in FIG. 71 . A hex nut fastener 14 fixes the inner cylindrical member 144 to the rod. After installation, the clip 148 is removed, allowing the outer cylindrical member 142 to rotate and move down with the wall member 6 while the inner cylindrical member 144 stays fixed to the rod 4 to tension the rod, as shown in FIG. 73 . The axial opening 150 in the inner cylindrical member may be threaded, as shown in FIG. 73 , or threaded, as shown in FIGS. 74-75 , for threaded attachment to the rod to fix the inner cylindrical member to the rod, in which case the hex nut shown in FIG. 71 is not needed.

In summary, FIGS. 71-75 disclose a fixture that holds a pre-wind torsion spring 140 in its loaded state with a removable clip that holds the torsion spring in its pre-wind state prior to installation.

Referring to FIGS. 76-77 , the inner cylindrical member 156 is disposed inside an outer cylindrical member 158 and is slidable therein. The inner cylindrical member 156 is threaded to the tie rod 4. A spring retainer 160, preferably plastic, is attached to the inner cylindrical member 156 via an annular groove 162 in the inner cylindrical member 156 via flexible arms 164 of the spring retainer that clip into the annular groove 162. The spring retainer 160 is advantageously made of plastic since it is only used to hold the upper end of the spring 3 fixed to the rod 4 while keeping the rod under tension. The inner cylindrical member 156 is preferably made of metal or other stronger materials since it is designed to resist the uplift forces from the wall member 6 when the wall lifts up due to earthquakes, windstorms, hurricanes, etc. The spring retainer 160 has an upper flange 166 that restrains the upper end of the spring 3. The outer cylindrical member 158 has a shoulder 168 that restrains the lower end of the spring. A removable clip 168 prevents the spring from pushing the outer cylindrical member downward, as shown in FIG. 76 . After the clip is removed, the spring 3 pushes the outer cylindrical member 158 downwardly while the inner cylindrical member 156 remains attached to the rod 4 when the wall settles or shrinks, as shown in FIG. 77 . A bearing plate 12 may be used on the wall member 6 to distribute the force from the spring.

Referring to FIGS. 78-79 , springs 170 are disposed laterally of the rod 4. The springs 170 provides actuation force for the fastener while also providing rod tension. The outer cylindrical member 172 includes recesses or blind holes 174 that hold the springs 170 in the compressed state. The springs 170 push against a capture ring 176 attached to the inner cylindrical member 178. The capture ring 176 includes resilient members 180 that lock into an annular groove 182 in the inner cylindrical member. A removable clip 184 keeps the inner and outer cylindrical members 178, 172 fixed to each other prior to installation, as shown in FIG. 78 . The clip 184 is removed after installation to allow the outer cylindrical member 172 to move down when the wall settles or shrinks, as shown in FIG. 79 . The inner cylindrical member 178 remains fixed to the rod since it is threaded thereto. A bearing plate 12 may be used on the wall member 6. The springs are smaller in diameter than the rod diameter.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 68-79 , the springs 3, 170 do not move the entire fastener but only part of it. The springs 3, 170 provide tension to the rod but only pushes part of the fastener downward.

Referring to FIGS. 80-81 , two springs 186 are stretched instead of compressed to store potential energy prior to installation. The springs start in an extended state and compress, shorten, or contract as they put tension force on the rod 4. The springs are installed below the wall member 6, such as the top plate or bridge member of a stud wall. The springs 186 put tension on the rod by pulling the rod toward the wall member 6. A nut fastener 188 fixes the lower end of the springs to the rod. Brackets 190 secure the upper end of the springs to the wall member 6. The springs 186 are lateral of the rod so that the diameter of the springs is not dependent on the diameter of the rod. Springs 186 may be disposed underneath the top plate or the floor plate of a stud wall. See FIGS. 414-432 showing a removable fixture for keeping the springs pre-stretched prior to installation.

Referring to FIGS. 82-83 , a spring 192 is disposed around the tie rod 4 and attached below the wall member 6 to pull the rod upward. A threaded body 194 is threaded to the rod and fixes the lower end of the spring to the rod. An upper bracket 196 with an opening is attached to the wall member 6. The spring is pre-stretched to store potential energy prior to installation. As the wall settles or shrinks, the rod moves through the opening 198 in the wall member 6 and the upper bracket 196 from the action of the spring, pulling the rod upward. The lower threaded body includes an annular groove 200 that captures a reduced diameter portion 202 of the lower end of the spring. The upper bracket similarly has an annular groove 204 that captures a reduced diameter portion 206 of the upper end of the spring. See FIGS. 504-508 showing a removable fixture for the keeping the spring pre-stretched prior to installation.

In the following description, a spring providing tension to the rod is positioned below a hold down fastener where the spring does not actuate the hold down fastener and the spring is not pre-compressed prior to installation.

Referring to FIGS. 84-85 , a hold down fastener 208 is added to the rod tension spring 3. The tension spring 3 does not actuate the hold down fastener 208. The hold down fastener 208 includes an inner cylindrical member 210 inside an outer cylindrical member 212 that moves upwardly within the outer cylindrical member 212 as the wall settles or shrinks. The inner cylindrical member 210 is threaded to the rod 4 so that it stays fixed to the rod. The outer wall 214 of the inner cylindrical member 210 includes downwardly angled deeper annular grooves 216 to completely receive the respective split-ring resilient members 218. The inner wall 220 of the outer cylindrical member 212 includes shallower annular grooves 222 to partially receive the respective split-ring resilient members 218. The resilient members 218 are biased toward the shallow annular grooves 222 so that when the deeper groove 216 moves up and aligns with a shallower groove 222, the resilient member 218 expands and lodges itself in the shallower groove 222. When the deeper groove 216 tries to move down, the resilient member 218, which is only partly received in the shallower groove, prevents the inner cylindrical member 210 from moving down. The cooperation between the deeper and shallower grooves 216, 222 and the resilient member 218 is well-known in the art and is further disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,350, hereby incorporated by reference. Actuation of the hold down fastener 208 is provided by the wall member 6 moving downwardly due to wall settlement or shrinkage. The outer cylindrical member 212 is attached to the wall member 6 with screws so that the outer cylindrical member 212 moves with the wall member 6.

The rod tension spring 3 is disposed inside the bearing plate 12 or washer 30 (see FIG. 35 , for example). The spring 3 is not pre-compressed prior to installation. To install, the spring 3 is placed inside the bearing plate. The inner cylindrical member is then threaded to the rod, compressing the spring. The outer cylindrical member 212 is then pushed down around the inner cylindrical member 210 and attached to the wall member 6, as shown in FIG. 84 . When the wall settles or shrinks, the wall member 6 moves down along with the outer cylindrical member 212. The rod tension spring 3 then pushes the inner cylindrical member 210 upwardly and locks with one of the shallower grooves 222 to resist uplift of the wall, as shown in FIG. 85 . Wall uplift may be caused by a windstorm, hurricane, earthquake, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 86-88 , the hold down fastener 208 of FIG. 84 may be replaced with a split-nut fastener 16. The rod tension spring 2 is disposed above the assembly to actuate the split-nut fastener 16 when the wall settles or shrinks while at the same time providing tension to the rod. The upper coils of the spring 2 are threaded to the rod 4. The lower coils are larger in diameter than the rod diameter and bear on top of the split-nut fastener 16. To install, the split-nut fastener 16 is slid down the rod 4 to the top of the bearing plate 12. The spring 2 is then threaded to the rod and compressed against the top of the split-nut fastener 16, as shown in FIG. 87 . When the wall member 6 moves down due to wall settlement or shrinkage, the spring 2 expands to push the split-nut fastener 16 down the rod so as to remain in contact with the bearing plate 12 or the wall member 6 (if a bearing plate is not used), as shown in FIG. 88 . The split-nut fastener is a fastener that moves down the rod 4 from the action of the rod tension spring 2. A resilient member 224 in annular groove 226 keeps the segments 18 biased toward the threads of the rod 4.

Referring to FIGS. 89-90 , the arrangement shown in FIG. 84 may be modified wherein the rod tension spring 2 is placed above the hold down fastener 208 and the spring 2 is in the form shown in FIG. 86 . The spring 2 pushes the outer cylindrical member 212 down to bear on the bearing plate 12 or the wall member 6 (in the absence of the bearing plate). To install, the inner cylindrical member 210 is threaded down the rod until it makes contact and bears on the bearing plate 12. The outer cylindrical member 212 is then slid down the inner cylindrical member. The rod tension spring 2 is then threaded down the rod until the bottom portion bears on the upper portion of the outer cylindrical member 212 and is compressed. The inner cylindrical member 210 stays at the same location on the rod as the outer cylindrical member 212 moves down when the wall member 6 moves down due to wall settlement or shrinkage. The spring 2 expands to push the outer cylindrical member 212 against the bearing plate 12, as shown in FIG. 90 .

Referring to FIGS. 91-92 , the split-nut fastener 16 of FIG. 86 may be modified with the addition of an actuation spring 22 that pushes the split-nut segments 18 toward the bottom of the housing 19. A washer 21 distributes the force of the actuation spring 22 to the split-nut segments 18. The actuation spring 22 keeps the split-nut segments 18 to the bottom of the housing 19 and threaded to the rod 4, ready to resist any uplift forces. The spring 2 provides rod tension and pushes the fastener down when the wall member 6 moves down due to wall shrinkage or settlement.

Referring to FIGS. 93-94 , the hold down fasteners of FIGS. 86 and 89 may be replaced with a flex nut fastener 228, which includes a plurality of flexible, resilient fingers 230 that flex radially outwardly when slid down the rod 4 but spring back radially inwardly into the valleys of the rod threads when downward motion along the rod stops. The ends of the fingers may be shaped to conform to the thread pitch to provide greater contact with the rod threads. The flex nut fastener 228 resists upward movement since the fingers are lodged inside the thread valleys. To install, the flex nut fastener 228 is slid down the rod, the fingers flexing outwardly from the rod. After engaging the wall member 6, the flex nut fastener 228 may be tightened by turning clockwise, similar to tightening a screw. The rod tension spring 1 is then threaded down the rod via the upper section 8 and compressed against the flex nut fastener 228.

Referring to FIGS. 95-96 , the upper end of the rod tension spring 3 is held to the rod 4 by means of an upper flex nut fastener 228 instead of the spring coils 8 being threaded to the rod. The rod tension spring 3 pushes the lower flex nut fastener 229 down the rod when the wall member moves down due to wall settlement or shrinkage. The fasteners 228, 229 are advantageously separate and distinct from each other, operating independently of one another. The ability of the lower fastener to resist the uplift loads from the wall does not depend on the ability of the upper fastener to restrain the spring. The upper flex nut fastener 228 is fixed to the rod 4 and resists the upward force of the tension spring. The upper flex nut fastener 228 is designed to hold the rod tension spring but may also be designed to resist additional load when the tension spring is completely compressed solid, and the uplift load occurs, which is then shared by the lower flex nut fastener 229 and the upper flex nut fastener 228. The spring 3 bears on a top portion of the lower flex nut fastener 229 and on a bottom portion of the upper flex nut fastener 228. The flex nut fasteners 228 and 229 are identical in their operation relative to the threads of the tie rod except for their position on the rod.

Referring to FIGS. 97-98 , the rod tension spring 3 may be disposed around the side walls of the upper and lower flex nut fasteners 228, 229. The flex nut fasteners 228, 229 are provided with annular flanges 232 on the side walls of the flex nut fasteners to restrain the spring. The major diameter of the spring 3 is greater than the major diameter of the flex nut fasteners. The lower end of the spring 3 bears on the side wall of the lower flex nut fastener 229 via the annular flange 232 of the lower fastener, and the upper end of the spring 3 bears on the side wall of the upper flex nut fastener 228 via the annular flange 232 of the upper fastener.

Referring to FIGS. 99-100 , the rod tension spring 3 may be threaded to the side walls of the flex nut fasteners 228, 229, in which case the annular flanges 232 may be dispensed with. The lower portion of the upper flex nut fastener 228 includes threads that mate with the upper coils of the spring 3. Similarly, the upper portion of the lower flex nut fastener 229 includes threads that mate with the lower coils of the spring 3.

Referring to FIGS. 101-103 , the rod tension spring 3 may be replaced by a solid flexible ring member 234 or tube member made of rubber, urethane, etc. FIGS. 101 and 102 show the ring member 234 compressed after installation. FIG. 103 shows the ring member 234 expanded due to wall settlement or shrinkage.

Referring to FIGS. 104-105 , the upper and lower flex nut fasteners 228 and the rod tension spring 3 may be replaced with a one-piece member 236. The member 236 includes an upper flex nut fastener portion 238, a lower flex nut fastener portion 240, and a spring portion 242 or 244, all integrated into one piece. The spring portions 242, 244 are shown in the expanded position. The flexible fingers 230 work the same way as those shown in FIGS. 93-100 . The spring portions 242, 244 have enough force to actuate the lower fastener portion, but about less than the amount to hold the gravity weight of the rod portion below to the next below fastener.

Referring to FIGS. 106-111 , a guide is provided to center the tension spring 3 disposed between the upper and lower flex nut fasteners 228. A cylindrical tube 246, preferably attached to the upper flex nut fastener 228 may be provided, wherein the tension spring 3 is disposed around the tube 246, as shown in FIG. 106 . The cylindrical tube 246 may also be attached to the lower flex nut fastener 229 or may be made as a separate member. The cylindrical tube 246 may be separated from the fasteners 228, 229.

The cylindrical tube 246 may also enclose the spring tension 3, as shown in FIG. 107 . In this arrangement, the spring inside diameter keeps the spring centered around the rod 4. The cylindrical tube 4 also keeps the spring centered. The cylindrical tube 246 may also be attached to the lower flex nut fastener 229 or may be made as a separate member.

The guide may take the form of alignment posts 248 preferably fixed to the lower flex nut fastener 229 and slidable through openings in the upper flex nut fastener 228, as shown in FIGS. 108-111 . The tension spring 3 may be disposed within the space between the posts 248 so that the spring is restrained laterally, as shown in FIGS. 108-109 . The spring 3 may also be disposed outside of the posts 248, as shown in FIGS. 110-111 .

Referring to FIG. 112 , the assembly shown in FIG. 95 is modified wherein the upper flex nut fastener is replaced with a hex nut fastener 14 and the lower flex nut fastener is replaced with a split nut fastener 16. The split nut fastener 16 may bear directly on the wall member 6. When the spring 3 is initially compressed solid, as shown, uplift load is advantageously shared between the split nut fastener 16 and the nut fastener 14.

The spring 3 is designed and configured with the spring wire diameter preferably being larger than the thread pitch of the threaded rod to minimize the spring wire from getting jammed with the threads of the rod or cause any interference during the compression or expansion of the spring. The spring inside diameter is preferably configured to fit close to the threaded rod diameter for stability while under compression, since the compression spring 3 will expand outwardly and radially as it is installed to a compressed state. The spring 3 is preferably conical in shape, similar in shape to the spring 2 (FIG. 1 ) designed to advantageously fit under the nut fastener 14. A washer may also be used to fit the spring under the hex nut fastener 14. The spring 3 is preferably wound in the opposite direction to the thread pitch of the rod so as to avoid or reduce any interference or jamming between the spring 3 and the threaded rod 4. The spring 3 may also be ground flat on each end, to provide stability and smooth compression and expansion.

Referring to FIGS. 113-142 , the hex nut fastener shown in assembly of FIG. 112 is replaced with a split nut fastener 16. The upper split nut fastener 16 remains stationary with respect to the rod 4, resisting the upward force of the rod tension spring 3. The lower split nut fastener 16 is pushed down by the tension spring 3 when the wall member 6 moves down as the wall settles or shrinks, as shown in FIG. 114 . Both split nut fasteners 16 resist upward forces but the lower split nut fastener 16 is movable down the rod. After initial installation, with the tension spring 3 completely compressed solid (the coils touching together), uplift load is shared between the lower split nut fastener 16 and the upper split nut fastener 16 through the tension spring 3, making the upper and lower split nut fasteners 16 to act as one. The upper and lower split nut fasteners 16 each includes an internal spring 22 that urges the nut segments 18 toward the bottom of the housing 19 where the ramp surface of the housing cause the nut segments 18 to come together and engage the threads of the rod 4. The internal spring 22 is compressed when the split nut fastener 16 moves downwardly relative to the rod 4. The split nut fasteners 16 are advantageously separate and distinct from each other, operating independently of one another. The ability of the lower fastener to resist the uplift loads from the wall does not depend on the ability of the upper fastener to restrain the spring.

The rod tension spring 3 may be disposed to bear on the cover 250 of the lower split nut fastener 16 and the bottom 252 of the upper split nut fastener 16, as shown in FIG. 115 . The caps 250 may be threaded to the respective housings 19.

The rod tension spring may be disposed around the housings 19 of the split nut fasteners 16, 17, as shown in FIGS. 116-118 . Each of the housing 19 includes flange portions 254 that serve to attach the spring to the housings 19. When the wall member 6 moves down due to wall settlement or shrinkage, the lower split nut fastener 16 moves with the wall member 6 due to the tension spring force, keeping the lower split nut fastener 16 in contact with the wall member 6, as shown in FIG. 117 . The upper housing of the upper split nut fastener 16 may initially bear on the lower housing of the lower split nut fastener 16 at time of installation before the wall member 6 moves down due to wall settlement or shrinkage, as shown in FIGS. 116 and 118 , so that uplift load is shared by both split nut fasteners 16. After the lower split nut fastener 16 separates from the upper split nut fastener 16, uplift load is resisted by the lower split nut fastener 17. If the lower split nut fastener 16 fails, the uplift load will advantageously compress the tension spring 3 and transfer the uplift load to the upper split nut fastener 16. The spring 3 will dampen the load as it progressively transfers the load to the upper split nut fastener 16.

The assembly of FIG. 118 without the tension spring 3 may be used to resist uplift forces wherein the upper split nut fastener 16 shares the load of the lower split nut fastener 16.

Referring to FIGS. 119-120 , the caps 250 may be press-fit into inside diameter of the respective housings 19 of the split nut fasteners 16. The rod tension spring 3 is disposed bearing on the lower cap 250 and the bottom 252 of the upper housing 19, similar to FIG. 115 .

Referring to FIGS. 121-122 , the caps 250 may be press-fit into the outside diameter of the housings 19.

Referring to FIGS. 123-124 , the cap 250 on the lower split nut fastener 16 may simply bear on the top edge of the housing 19. The tension spring 3 keeps the lower cap 250 engaged to the housing 19. The rod 4 that extends through the cap keeps the cap 250 from falling off the housing 19.

Referring to FIGS. 125-127 , the housings 19 remains open at the top 255. Resilient C-rings 256 are received in respective grooves 257 inside the housings 19. The C-rings 256 keep the inner springs 22 in place. The tension spring 3 bears on the C-ring 256 in the lower split nut fastener 16. The bottom 252 of the upper split nut fastener 16 includes a recess 258 to capture the spring 3 and keep it centered around the rod 4 and the lower split nut fastener 16.

Referring to FIGS. 128-129 , the upper edge of the lower housing 19 of the lower split nut fastener 16 and the bottom of the housing 19 of the upper split nut fastener 16 include respective circumferential recesses 260 that hold the rod tension spring 3 in place. The upper portion of the actuation spring 22 is threaded to an upper portion of the housing 19 of the upper split nut fastener 16. The upper portion of the actuation spring 22 of the lower split nut fastener 16 is restrained by an inwardly projecting ledge 262.

Referring to FIGS. 130-132 , the lower inner spring 22 is held in place by an internal ledge 262 in the housing 19. The lower inner spring 22 tapers outwardly at the upper end to catch the internal ledge 262 to keep the spring 22 in place. No cap or clip is needed to retain the inner spring 22.

The upper internal spring 22 is threaded to a helical groove 264 disposed on an upper shoulder 266 in the housing 19 of the upper split nut fastener 16. No cap or clip is needed to retain the inner spring 22.

Referring to FIGS. 133-134 , the internal springs 22 may be made of flat wire springs 265. The spring 265 may be retained in the housing by a flange or overhang 268 extending inwardly from the upper edge of the housing 19, as shown in FIG. 133 . The spring 265 may also be retained by in the housing by being threaded into a corresponding helical groove 264 on the inner surface of the upper wall portion of the housing 19, as shown in FIG. 134 . The spring 265 is advantageously tapered such that the lower portion bears directly on the nut segments 18.

Referring to FIGS. 135-137 , the rod tension spring 3, and the internal spring 22 for actuating the split nut fastener 16 may be combined into a single two-function spring 270. The spring 270 includes a lower portion 272 that engages the split nut segments 18 and an upper portion 274 that bears on the underside of the upper housing 19. The lower portion 272 provides the function of the actuation spring 22, while the upper portion 274 provides the function of the rod tension spring 3. A washer 21 on top of the lower nut segments 18 serves to distribute the force of the tension spring 270.

Referring to FIGS. 138-144 , the internal springs 22 for the upper and lower split nut fasteners 16 may be integrated or molded as part of the housing caps 276. The caps 276 include resilient and flexible spring members 278 that bend and compress when subjected to force and return to their expanded shape when the force is removed. The spring members 278 may be U-shaped with the bottom of the curve pressing on the nut segments 18, as shown in FIG. 140-142 . The resilient and flexible spring members 278 may also be helical shaped, as shown in FIG. 144 . The rod tension spring 3 pushes the lower split nut fastener 16 down as the wall settles and keeps the rod 4 under tension against the stationary upper split nut fastener 16.

Referring to FIGS. 145-146 , the internal springs for the upper and lower split nut fasteners 16 may be replaced with foam material 280, which is compressible and returns to its normal shape after an applied force is removed. When the lower and upper split nut fasteners 16 are slid down the rod 4, the nut segments 18 separate, compressing the foam material 280 sideways and upward. After the split nut fasteners 16 reach the desired locations, the foam material 280 returns to its original shape, forcing the nut segments 18 around the rod 4 in thread engagement. The thread minor diameter of the nut segments 18 of the upper split nut fastener 16 may be increased so the segments 18 do not have to travel as far radially to be released from the rod engagement, as shown in FIG. 146 , since the upper split nut fastener 16 is designed only resist the spring force of the spring 3 to hold the upper end of the spring fixed to the rod. The nut segments 18 of the lower split nut fastener 16 has standard minor diameter for complete engagement with the threads of the rod 4 since the lower split nut fastener 16 is designed to resist the uplift loads.

Referring to FIGS. 147-149 , the internal spring of the split nut fasteners may be replaced with molded silicone, flexible plastic or rubber body 284, which is compressible when the split nut fastener 16 is slid down the rod and returns to its original shape when the split nut fastener 16 is stationary. The molded silicone body 284 may include L-shaped fins 286 or horizontal fins 288 pressing on the nut segments. A top member 290 holds the fins 286, 288 together. See FIGS. 465-470 for more details. The fins 286, 288 are flexible and resilient to urge the nut segments 18 toward the bottom and center of the housing 19.

Referring to FIGS. 150-162 , the internal spring of the split nut fasteners 16 may be replaced with plastic springs 292 molded with the housing 19. The plastic springs may be in the form of fingers pressing on the top of the nut segments 18, as shown in FIGS. 150-52 . A metal bearing plate in the form of a washer 294 is operably attached to the open bottom of the plastic housing 19. The split nut fastener 16 in its load carrying position presses on the washer 294, advantageously preventing the plastic housing 19 from carrying the load. The plastic springs 292 guide the nut segments 18 down the ramps 296 to the washer 294 after the split nut fastener 16 is installed on the wall member 6. Tension loading on the tie rod 4 during wall uplift is advantageously transferred to the metal washer 294 via the split nut fastener 16. The washer 294 advantageously resists the uplift load, advantageously sparing the housing 19 from the load, which may be made of plastic. The ramps 296 may also be made of plastic since the ramps 296 are only involved in resetting the nut segments 18 around the rod 4 when the wall settles down due to shrinkage or settlement.

Referring to FIGS. 153-154 , the rod tension spring 3 presses on the plastic housing 19 of the lower split nut fastener 16 and the metal washer 294 of the upper split nut fastener 16. The plastic housing 19 is built to withstand at least the compressive force of the rod tension spring 3 at the initial installation prior to the wall settlement or shrinkage.

Referring to FIGS. 155-156 , the metal washer 294 may be fixed to the plastic housing by tongue and groove arrangement (FIG. 155 ) or glued or press fitting to the housing (FIG. 156 ). Other suitable ways may be used to hold the metal washer 294 to the housing 19 against the internal plastic springs 292 pressing on the nut segments 18 and indirectly against the washer 294.

Referring to FIGS. 157-162 , the split nut fastener 16 may consist of a partial nut 298, covering 180 deg. or less of the rod diameter. The partial nut 298 is held inside the housing by vertical shoulders 300 in contact with the vertical edges 302 of the partial nut 298 and plastic springs 292 pressing on the top and side of the partial nut 298. The partial nut 298 is able slide vertically along the vertical shoulders 300 of the housing during installation as the partial nut is pushed down the rod toward the wall member 6 or when the partial nut 298 takes the slack in the rod due to the wall settlement or shrinkage. The partial nut 298 advantageously provides a smaller number of parts than a regular split nut fastener with a complete set of nut segments 18. The partial nut 298 may be used as an upper fastener 16 to hold the rod tension spring fixed to the rod and a lower fastener 16 to take up slack in the rod, as shown in FIG. 160 . FIGS. 161 and 162 show the partial nut 298 with less than 180 deg. Of the rod diameter.

Referring to FIGS. 163-167 , the upper and lower fasteners 304, 306 preferably have different load capacities. The upper fastener may be a flex nut fastener 228, which only needs to be strong enough to resist the spring force of the rod tension spring 3 can be made of plastic or other material that is of lower strength than the lower fastener, which may be a split nut fastener 16, which is made to resist the uplift force of the wall, which is much larger than the force exerted by the spring on flex nut fastener 228. The upper fastener 228 includes multiple flexible arms 230 with outer edges oriented to enter the thread grooves and preferably shaped to conform to the thread helix angle to resist the upward force of the rod tension spring. The upper fastener 228 may include a single flexible arm to handle the load, as shown in FIG. 166 . The upper fastener 228 does not have to be rotated but is simply slid down the rod to be installed. The lower surface 308 of the upper fastener 228 is at the same helix angle as the rod tension spring, so the spring force is distributed evenly around the lower surface. The lower fastener 16 has a bottom surface 310 that can function as a bearing plate so that a separate bearing plate is not required in the installation. However, a bearing plate, as shown in FIG. 167 , may still be used if desired.

It should be understood that the flex nut fastener 228 is advantageously separate and distinct from the split nut fastener 16, each one providing a separate function and operating independently of one another. The ability of the lower fastener to resist the uplift loads from the wall does not depend on the ability of the upper fastener to restrain the spring.

Referring to FIGS. 168-169 , a single two-function spring 270 may be used to provide the functions of the rod tension spring and the internal actuation spring. The two-function spring may include a lower portion 272 with a smaller diameter to fit within the housing of the lower split nut fastener 16 to press on the nut segments 18 over a washer 21. The spring 270 includes an upper portion 274 that pushes against the upper flex nut fastener 228. The upper fastener is a plastic flex nut fastener 228 already described above (see FIGS. 163-166 , for example).

Referring to FIGS. 170-179 , the upper fastener may be replaced with a ring nut fastener 312 with a sleeve member with a projection 314 inside that engages the thread grooves of the rod 4. The ring nut fastener 312 maintains the position of the rod tension spring 3 at the upper end. The ring nut fastener 312 is screwed down the rod to install. The projection 314 fits in the thread grooves and resists the spring force of the rod tension spring. The projection 314 is preferably not the same shape as the rod threads and not at the same angle as the helix angle of the threads to advantageously help lock the ring nut fastener 312 in place. The ring fastener 312 may include a flange or shoulder portion 316 to restrain the upper end of the rod tension spring 3 and a smaller diameter portion 318 disposed inside the spring to stabilize the spring, as shown in FIGS. 174-175 . The ring fastener 312 may also include a recess 320 to receive the end portion of the rod tension spring 3, as shown in FIGS. 176-179 .

The lower fastener shown in FIGS. 178-179 includes a metal plate bottom in the form of the washer 294 upon which the nut segments 298 bear when the rod is placed under tension. This advantageously allows the rest of the lower fastener to be made of plastic or other lesser strength material than metal. The plastic portion of the lower fastener only needs to handle the forces exerted by the rod tension spring when the fastener travels downwardly and the nut segments ride up the plastic ramps 296 (see FIG. 152 ) due to the settlement or shrinkage of the wall; and the plastic internal actuation springs 292 that push the nut segments 298 down the ramp surface to engage the thread of the rod after the fastener reaches the end of its downward travel.

It should be understood that the ring nut fastener 312 is advantageously separate and distinct from the split nut fastener 16, each one providing a separate function and operating independently of one another. The ability of the lower fastener to resist the uplift loads from the wall does not depend on the ability of the upper fastener to restrain the spring.

Referring to FIGS. 180-183 , the rod tension spring is replaced with plastic spring fingers 322 molded or integrated with the upper fastener, which is shown as a flex nut fastener 228. In this embodiment, the spring fingers 322 have enough force to actuate the lower fastener, which may be any of the lower fasteners disclosed herein but may be less than the amount to hold the gravity weight of the rod portion below to the next below fastener. The upper fastener is used to hold the integrated spring 322 at the upper end fixedly attached to the rod 4. The rod tension spring 322 is also used to actuate the lower fastener downwardly when the wall settles or shrinks to take up the slack in the rod. The integrated rod tension spring 322 may be in the form of flexible arm members, as shown in FIGS. 180-181 , or helical spring 324 as shown in FIGS. 182-183 . The upper fastener may be color coded for the size of the rod, the force needed to actuate the lower fastener and the travel distance of the lower fastener.

It should be understood that the flex nut fastener 228 is advantageously separate and distinct from the split nut fastener 16, each one providing a separate function and operating independently of one another. The ability of the lower fastener to resist the uplift loads from the wall does not depend on the ability of the upper fastener to restrain the spring.

Referring to FIGS. 184-199 , a pin nut fastener 326 may be used as the upper or lower fastener. The pin nut fastener 326 includes a cylindrical body with a through opening 328. The body may include an annular recess 330 to hold an elastic, resilient or stretchable band 332 in place. Angled grooves or slots 334 are cut into the side of the body into the opening 328. A pin 336 is disposed at the bottom 338 of each groove 334. The diameter of the pin 336 is about the pitch of the thread of the rod 4 so the pin can fit between the flanks of the thread. The grooves 334 are preferably larger than the diameter of the pins 336. The pin 336 has the same length or longer than length of the bottom of the groove 334. The length of the groove 334 decreases from the bottom 338 to the top. An intermediate portion of the pin 336 extends into the through opening 328 at the bottom of the groove 334, as shown in FIG. 185 . The elastic, resilient or stretchable band 332 wraps around the body to force the pin 336 down into the bottom of the groove 334 when the pin rides up the groove 334 and the ends of the pin 336 extend outside the groove 334 and stretches the band 332.

Referring to FIGS. 190-191 , the bottom 338 of each groove 334 is tilted to match the helix angle of the threads of the rod 4. The exposed portion of each of the pins inside the through opening 328 engages the threads of the rod. Sliding the pin nut fastener 326 down the rod causes the pin 336 to ride up the groove 334, causing the ends of the pin 336 to extend out of the groove 334 and stretch the band 332. When the pin nut fastener 326 stops at the designated location on the rod, the band 332 forces the pin 336 to go to the bottom 338 of the groove 334 and engage the threads of the rod. When the rod 4 is placed under tension, the pin 336 is forced toward the bottom 338 of the groove and into the threads of the rod, locking the pin nut fastener 326 to the rod.

Referring to FIG. 192 , the pin fastener 326 is used as the lower fastener and a nut fastener 14 as the upper fastener with the tension spring 3 in between. The rod tension spring 3 is also used to force the pin nut fastener 326 downward to bear on the wall member 6 when the wall shrinks or settles.

Referring to FIGS. 193-194 , the pin nut fasteners 326 are shown as the lower fastener and the upper fastener, with the rod tension spring 3 in between. It should be understood that the pin nut fasteners 326 are advantageously separate and distinct from each other, each one providing a separate function and operating independently of one another. The ability of the lower fastener to resist the uplift loads from the wall does not depend on the ability of the upper fastener to restrain the spring.

Referring to FIGS. 195-196 , the grooves 334 in the upper portion 340 of the body are opposite each other, with the bottom of the grooves being preferably parallel to each other at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions. The grooves 334 in lower portion 342 of the body are also opposite to each other with the bottom of the grooves being preferably parallel to each other at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions. The pins 336 may be perpendicular to the axis of the rod 4 and not tilted along the helix angle of the threads of the rod 4.

Referring to FIG. 196 , the pin 336 is disposed inside the adjacent flanks of the thread, a lower flank 337 and an upper flank 339. The slot 334 has a lower ramp surface 335 and an upper ramp surface 337. When an upward force is applied to the pin nut fastener 326, the lower ramp surface 335 forces the pin 336 against the flanks 337, 339, thereby locking the pin nut fastener 326 to the tie rod. When the wall member 6 moves down, the fastener moves down due to the force applied by the spring 3, the upper ramp surface 337 forces the pin 336 out of the flanks 337, 339, thereby releasing the fastener from the thread of the rod.

Referring to FIGS. 197-199 , the pin nut fasteners 326 may each include a single groove 334 and a single pin 336, depending on the load.

Referring to FIGS. 200-217 , spring clip fasteners 344 are used as the lower fastener and the upper fastener with the rod tension spring 3 in between. Each spring clip fastener 344 includes a cylindrical body with an axial opening. Angled slotted holes 346 are provided through the wall of the body, transversely to the axis of the rod 4. The slotted holes 346 angle upwardly away from the rod. The slotted holes 346 open into the axial opening to allow the arm portions 350 of the spring clip 348 to engage the threads of the rod. The spring clip 348 is generally U-shaped with arm portions 350 inserted in the slotted holes 346. The spring clip 348 is biased to urge the arm portions 350 toward the bottom of the slotted holes 346 where the arm portions 350 engage the threads of the rod. When the spring clip fastener 344 is slid down the rod, the arm portions 350 separate from the threads of the rod 4 and are pushed up the slotted holes 346. When the spring clip fastener 344 is pushed upwardly, the arm portions 350 are pushed against the threads, locking the fastener in place. The interaction between the slotted hole 346, the arm portion 350 and the flanks of the threads of the rod is the same as described with the pin nut fastener 326 in FIG. 196 .

Referring to FIGS. 202-203 , the lower end portion of the rod tension spring 3 is restrained by a flange 352 at the upper portion of the lower fastener body. The upper end portion of the rod tension spring 3 is restrained by a flange 352 at the lower portion of the upper fastener body.

Referring to FIGS. 204-205 , the lower portion of the rod tension spring 3 is threaded to an upper portion 354 of the lower spring clip fastener 344, and upper portion of the rod tension spring 3 is threaded to the lower portion 356 of the upper spring clip fastener 344.

It should be understood that the upper and lower spring clip fasteners 344 are advantageously separate and distinct from each other, each one providing a separate function and operating independently of one another. The ability of the lower fastener to resist the uplift loads from the wall does not depend on the ability of the upper fastener to restrain the spring.

Referring to FIGS. 206-208 , a single-pin clip 358 is inserted into the angled slotted hole 346 to engage the rod threads of the rod 4. The single-pin clip 358 may be perpendicular to the axis of the rod, as shown in FIG. 207 , or may be angled parallel to the angle of the thread helix of the threads of the rod 4, as shown in FIG. 208 . The single-pin clip 358 engages the threads by gravity. The diameter of the pin portion 360 of the pin clip 358 is sized to fit inside the pitch (flanks) of the threads of the rod 4. The pin portion 360 inside the slotted hole 346 near the handle portion will seek the bottom of the slotted hole 346 due to gravity where it engages the threads of the rod and when upward force is applied to the fastener, the other end of the pin portion 360 will follow and engage the threads. The interaction between the slotted hole 346, the pin portion 360 and the flanks of the threads of the rod is the same as described with the pin nut fastener 326 in FIG. 196 .

It should be understood that the upper and lower single-pin clip fasteners 358 are advantageously separate and distinct from each other, each one providing a separate function and operating independently of one another. The ability of the lower fastener to resist the uplift loads from the wall does not depend on the ability of the upper fastener to restrain the spring.

Referring to FIGS. 209-217 , the arm portions 350 of the spring clip 348 extending into the slotted holes 346 of the body are curved for greater contact area with the threads of the rod 4. Openings 362 communicate with the respective slotted holes 346 to provide space for the curved portions of the arm portions 350 as they engage and disengage from the threads of the rod 4. The slotted holes 346 may be arranged such that the arm portions 350 engage the threads at the same time, as shown in FIG. 213 , or offset from each other so that one arm portion is engaged while the other arm portion is disengaged, as shown in FIG. 214 . The spring clip fasteners 344 will also work with Acme threads, as shown in FIGS. 215-216 .

Referring to FIG. 217 , the spring clip fastener 344 may be used with a flex nut fastener 228, with the spring clip fastener 344 being the lower fastener, the flex nut fastener 228 as the upper fastener and the rod tension spring 3 in between. The rod tension spring 3, in addition to placing the rod under tension, also functions to push the lower fastener downwardly as the wall settles or shrinks to take the slack in the rod.

It should be understood that the flex nut fastener 228 is advantageously separate and distinct from the spring clip fastener 344, each one providing a separate function and operating independently of one another. The ability of the lower fastener to resist the uplift loads from the wall does not depend on the ability of the upper fastener to restrain the spring.

Referring to FIGS. 218-250 , lateral springs 80 replace the single rod tension spring 3 disposed around the rod 4. The lateral springs 80 bear on the lower fastener and the upper fastener, which are both disclosed as flex nut fasteners 228.

Referring to FIGS. 218-221 , a single lateral spring 80 is used in combination with a lower flex nut fastener 228 and an upper flex nut fastener 228. A shallow recess 364 may be provided on the top surface of the lower flex nut fastener and another shallow recess 364 on the bottom surface of the upper flex nut fastener 228 to keep the end portions of the lateral spring 80 in place, as shown in FIGS. 220-221 .

Referring to FIGS. 222-233 , two or more lateral springs 80 may be used, arranged around the side of the rod 4. FIG. 222 shows two lateral springs 80 arranged diametrically opposite each other. FIG. 223 shows four lateral springs 80 arranged evenly around the rod 4. The end portions of the lateral springs 80 may be disposed in shallow or deep recesses 364, as shown in FIGS. 225 and 227 , or bores 366, as shown in FIGS. 228-233 , in the corresponding bodies of the flex nut fasteners 228 to keep the lateral springs in place. The deep bores 366 advantageously keep the lateral springs 80 and the flex nut fasteners 228 from twisting or bending. FIGS. 228-232 show the lateral springs 80 compressed at the time of installation. FIGS. 229-233 show the lateral springs 80 expanded as the lower flex nut fasteners 228 move down with the wall settlement or shrinkage to take up the slack in the rod.

Referring to FIGS. 234-242 , a guidepost 248 may be molded as part of one flex nut fastener 228 that extends into a hole in the other flex nut fastener 228. The guidepost 248 is disposed inside the lateral spring 80 to keep the lateral spring in place. The guidepost 248 may extend through the other flex nut fastener, as shown in FIGS. 236-237 . The guidepost 248 may be a separate member attached to the flex nut fasteners, as shown in FIG. 238 . Multiple guideposts may be provided, with or without the lateral springs 80, as shown in FIGS. 239-242 , for greater stability in guiding the downward motion of the lower flex nut fastener due the settlement or shrinkage of the wall.

Lateral springs 80 may be used with a split nut fastener 16 as the lower fastener and a hex nut 14 with a washer 30 as the upper fastener, as shown in FIGS. 243-244 and 247-248 . A washer 30 may also be used on top of the split nut fastener housing 19, as shown in FIGS. 243-244 . Bores 366 may be provided in the split nut fastener housing 19 and the washer 30 to hold the ends of the lateral springs 80 for stability, as shown in FIGS. 247-248 .

A split nut fastener as the upper fastener may also be used, as shown in FIGS. 245-246 and 249-250 . Washers 30 with bores 366 to hold the end portions of the lateral springs 80 may be used, as shown in FIGS. 245-246 . Bores may also be provided in the split nut fastener housings 19, as shown in FIGS. 249-250 .

Referring to FIGS. 251-253 , an expandable fastener 368 is used to provide the combined functions of the lower fastener, the upper fastener, and the rod tension spring. The expandable fastener 368 includes an outer cylindrical body 370, an inner cylindrical body 372 threaded to the rod 4, a rod tension spring 3, and a spring retainer 374. The outer cylindrical body 370 moves downwardly from the action of the rod tension spring 3 as the wall settles or shrinks. Resilient members 376 between the outer and inner cylindrical bodies 370, 372 are pressed into the annular grooves 378 in the inner cylindrical body 372 as the outer cylindrical body 370 moves downwardly. When the rod 4 is subjected to tension, as when the wall is lifting up due to high winds, earthquake, etc., the inner cylindrical body 372 locks with the outer cylindrical body 307 when one or more of the resilient members 376 occupy a corresponding annular groove 378 in the outer cylindrical body. The expandable fastener 368 expands in one direction and locks in the opposite direction. The cooperation between the outer and inner cylindrical bodies 370, 372 and how one moves in one direction but is locked in the opposite direction is well-known in the art, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,161,3507, and 762,030, hereby incorporated by reference.

To install the expandable fastener 368, the inner cylindrical body 372 is threaded to the rod until it engages the bearing plate 12 on the wall member 6. The outer cylindrical body 370 is then pushed down around the inner cylindrical body until it engages the bearing plate 12. The rod tension spring 3 is then placed around the outer cylindrical body to engage the shoulder 380 on the upper end of the outer cylindrical body 370. The rod tension spring 3 is then compressed by inserting the spring retainer until the flexible fingers 382 latch into annular groove 384 in the inner cylindrical body 372. The spring retainer includes an upper shoulder for restraining the upper end of the rod tension spring. The spring retainer 374 and the inner cylindrical body 372 are fixed to the rod 4 while the outer cylindrical body 370 is movable downwardly when the wall (and the wall member 6 attached to the wall) settles or shrinks over time. The inner cylindrical body 372 and the spring retainer 374 fixed and stationary relative to the rod 4.

Referring to FIG. 252 , the expandable fastener 368 is modified as expandable fastener 369. The inner cylindrical body 373 is not threaded but attached to the rod 4 with a nut 14. In this arrangement, the inner cylindrical body 373 is not threaded to the rod 4. To install, the inner cylindrical body 373 is slid down the rod 4 through the opening and attached to the rod with the nut 14. The rest of the components are then installed in the same way as the expandable fastener 368 shown in FIG. 251 .

Referring to FIG. 253 , the expandable fastener 369 is modified as expandable fastener 371. The inner cylindrical body 373 and the nut 14 are modified into a split nut fastener, with the nut segments 18 attaching the inner cylindrical body 373 to the rod 4. To install, the inner cylindrical body 375 is slid down the rod through the opening. The nut segments 18 are then slid down the rod 4 until they engage the bottom of the inner cylindrical body 375. The rest of the components are then installed in the same way as the expandable fastener shown in FIG. 251 . The use of the split nut fastener 16 advantageously simplifies the installation of the expandable fastener 368.

Referring to FIG. 254 , a split nut fastener 16 attaches the tie rod 4 to member 6 to resist uplift forces on the wall member but travels down the rod 4 when slack in the tie rod develops due to wall settlement or shrinkage. An upper cylindrical body 386 is disposed above the split nut fastener 16 and is threaded to the rod. A spring retainer 388 keeps the spring 3 after being compressed to press on the split nut fastener below. The spring retainer 388 includes resilient or flexible fingers 390 which are received in an annular groove 392 in the upper cylindrical body 386. The cylindrical body 386 along with the spring retainer 388 comprise a fastener for fixing the upper end portion of the spring 3 to the rod 4.

To install, the split nut fastener 16 is slid down the rod 4. The upper cylindrical body 386 is then threaded to the rod to engage the top of the slip nut fastener housing 19. The rod tension spring 3 is compressed as the spring retainer 388 is pressed down to latch with the upper cylindrical body 386. The rod tension spring 3 pushes down the split nut fastener 16 as slack develops in the rod 4. The upper cylindrical body 386 and spring retainer 388 are used only to hold the spring force and not to resist uplift forces from the wall, so these components may be made of plastic or other materials suitable to handle the spring force.

The upper cylindrical body 386 functions as an upper fastener for restraining the spring 3. The upper cylindrical body 386 is advantageously separate and distinct form the split nut fastener 16, each one providing a separate function and operating independently of one another. The ability of the lower fastener to resist the uplift loads from the wall does not depend on the ability of the upper fastener to restrain the spring.

Referring to FIG. 255 , the configuration shown in FIG. 254 is modified where the upper cylindrical body 386 is replaced with an upper split nut fastener 16 to hold the upper end of the rod tension spring 3 fixed to the rod 4. The upper split nut fastener 16 is only used to hold the spring force of the rod tension spring 3. The rod tension spring 3 is used to push the lower split nut fastener when slack develops in the rod 4. The lower split nut fastener 16 performs the function of resisting tension forces from the rod 4 due to wall uplift caused by high winds, earthquake, etc. The lower split nut fastener 16 is preferably made of strong material, such as metal, to handle the higher loads. The upper split nut fastener 16 may be made of plastic or other materials suitable to handle the lower load of holding the spring in place.

Referring to FIG. 256 , the spring of the expandable fastener 368 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 251 is replaced with multiple lateral springs 80 inserted into the outer cylindrical member 370. The springs 80 are advantageously not concentric and wound around the tie rod 4, allowing the use of smaller diameter springs than the diameter of the rod. The outer cylindrical member 370 has multiple bore holes 394 to receive the bottom portions of the springs 80. The spring retainer 388, which is attached to the stationary inner cylindrical member 372, causes the outer cylindrical member 370 to move down when the wall member moves down due to wall settlement due to shrinkage, etc. The locking mechanism between the inner and outer cylindrical members 370, 372 allows the outer cylindrical member 370 to resist the uplift forces during storm or earthquake events. The inner cylindrical member 372 is threaded to the tie rod 4 to keep the upper ends of the springs 80 at the same position relative to the tie rod 4.

Referring to FIG. 257 , the lateral springs 80 are held in a separate sleeve 396 attached to the outer cylindrical member 370. The bore holes 394 are disposed in the sleeve 396. The spring retainer 388 is replaced with a washer 30 held in place by a hex nut 14. When the wall member 6 moves down, the springs 80 push the outer cylindrical member 370 down via the sleeve 396. The upper ends of the springs 80 stay at the same position relative to the tie rod 4. The sleeve 396 may be made of plastic since its function is just to hold the springs 80 under compression in place. The springs 80 are not used to resist the uplift forces of the wall and the resulting tension forces on the tie rod. The inner cylindrical member 372 is threaded to the tie rod 4 to keep the upper ends of the springs 80 at the same position relative to the tie rod 4.

Referring to FIGS. 258-259 , the embodiment of FIG. 256 is modified wherein the inner cylindrical member 372 is not threaded to the tie rod 4. The lateral springs 80 are shown in partly expanded position after the wall member has settled down due to wall shrinkage or settlement. The upper portion of the springs 80 are held stationary relative to the tie rod 4 with the use of a washer 398 and a hex nut 14. The washer 398 may be curved to conform to the curved outer edge portion of the inner cylindrical member 372 to provide for a swivel connection, thus allowing the washer 30 and the inner cylindrical member 372 to remain in contact even when the tie rod 4 is off-vertical.

Referring to FIGS. 260-263 , the expandable fastener of FIG. 257 is replaced with a split nut fastener 16 wherein the lateral springs 80 are held in the bore holes 394 in the side wall of the split nut fastener housing 19. A washer 30 and a hex nut 14 secure the upper end of the springs to a fixed location relative to the tie rod 4. When the wall member 6 moves down, the springs 80 push the housing down 19 to stay engaged with the bearing plate 12, which is on the wall member 6. The nut segments 18 eventually will reach the top wall of the housing 19 where the nut segments 18 will separate from the tie rod 4 as the wall member 6 continues to move down. During uplift of the wall and the wall member, the housing 19 will move up with the wall member 6, engage the nut segments 18, and cause the nut segments 18 to close and engage the threads of the tie rod 4, allowing the split nut fastener 16 to resist the uplift forces. An elastic ring 224 in a circumferential groove 20 keeps the nut segments 18 together. The lateral springs 80 are not dependent on the diameter of the tie rod, since they are not concentric and wound around the tie rod 4, advantageously providing flexibility in choosing the size of the springs 80. The lateral springs are shown compressed in FIG. 262 , while they are shown expanded in FIG. 263 .

Referring to FIGS. 264-265 , the washer 30 is threaded to the tie rod 4 so that the use of a hex nut 14 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 260 is eliminated. The lateral springs 80 are shown compressed in FIG. 264 , while they are shown expanded in FIG. 265 .

Referring to FIGS. 266-267 , the lateral springs 80 are disposed away from the fastener. An expandable fastener 368 is shown. The outer cylindrical member 370 is attached to a lower cross member 400 by being threaded together or by any standard means such as by welding, friction fit, adhesive, etc. The inner cylindrical member 372 is attached to an upper cross member 402 by being threaded together or by any standard means such as welding, friction fit, adhesive, etc. The inner cylindrical member 372 is threaded or otherwise attached to the tie rod 4. The lateral springs 80 are wound around the respective guide rods 404, which are attached to the lower cross member 400, and which move through openings in the upper cross member 402. The guide rods 404 are shown threaded to the lower cross member 400, but other standard attaching means may be used, such as by welding, friction fit, adhesive, etc. The side springs 80 are used to actuate the expandable fastener 368 as the wall member 6 moves down due to wall shrinkage or settlement. The inner and outer cylindrical members 370, 372 lock together when the wall uplifts, thereby resisting the uplift forces. FIG. 266 shows the lateral springs 80 in the compressed position before actuation of the fastener. FIG. 267 shows the lateral springs 80 in the expanded position after the wall and the wall member have moved down. The position of the upper ends of the springs 80 remains stationary with respect to the tie rod 4. The lateral springs 80 are not dependent on the size of the tie rod, so that the springs can be smaller in diameter than the tie rod to handle the actuation force and the weight of the tie rod below to the next fastener to keep the tie rod under tension.

Referring to FIGS. 268-269 , a split nut fastener 16 is used in lieu of the expandable fastener 368 shown in FIG. 266 . The lower cross member 400 is attached to the split nut fastener housing 19 with screws or other standard means so that the lower cross member 400 and the split nut fastener 16 moves down as a unit when the wall and the wall member settles down and the side springs keep the lower cross member in contact with the wall member. The upper cross member 402 is attached to the tie rod with a hex nut 14 or other standard means, such by threading the upper cross member 402 to the tie rod 4. The guide rods 404 are shown threaded to the lower cross member 400, but other standard means may be used. FIG. 268 shows the side springs in their initial compressed state. FIG. 269 shows the lateral springs 80 expanded after the wall has moved downwardly. The guide rods 404 move through the openings in the upper cross member 402. The lower cross member 400 is disposed on the wall member 6 (see FIG. 266 ).

Referring to FIGS. 270-271 , the fastener is a rotational torsional type expandable fastener 139 with the torsion spring 140 replaced with the lateral springs 80. The inner cylindrical member 144 is threaded to the outer cylindrical member 142 with a large or steep helix angle. The outer cylindrical member 142 is attached to the lower cross member 400 with screws or any standard means. The inner cylindrical member 144 is rotatably attached to the upper cross member 402 to allow the inner cylindrical member 144 to rotate relative to the outer cylindrical member 142 along their threaded connection when the lower cross member 400 moves down with the wall. The outer cylindrical member 142 is attached to the lower cross member 400 so that the outer cylindrical member 142 is stationary as the inner cylindrical member 144 rotates. The hex nut 14 keeps the upper cross member 402 at the same location on the tie rod 4. The lateral springs 80 actuate the inner cylindrical member 144 to rotate when the lower cross member 400 moves down with the wall member (see FIG. 266 ). When uplift occurs with the wall, the uplift forces are resisted by the fastener due to the steep helix angle of the thread between the inner and outer cylindrical members 144, 142. A lifting plate 406 is disposed between the upper cross member 402 and the upper ends of the lateral springs 80. The lifting plate 406 keeps the inner cylindrical member 144 in contact with the upper cross member. A sleeve member 408 is attached to the upper end of the inner cylindrical member 144 with a one-way rotational locking mechanism that locks in the upward direction and unlocks in the downward direction (for assembly purposes). The inner cylindrical member 408 is rotatable with the sleeve member 408. FIG. 271 shows the lateral springs 80 in expanded state after the lower cross member 400 has moved down with the wall member 6 (see FIG. 266 ). The lateral springs 80 advantageously provides flexibility in choosing the diameter and size of the springs without regard to the diameter of the rod 4.

The lateral springs 80 in all the embodiments of FIGS. 256-271 are not intended to resist the uplift forces but only to actuate the fasteners. Accordingly, the lateral springs are chosen to handle much smaller forces as compared to the uplift forces, which are handled by the main components of the fasteners 16, 368, 139 in the locked position.

In the following description, a spring provides tension to the rod and a hold down fastener is used, where the spring actuates the hold down fastener, the spring is pre-compressed prior to installation, and the spring is not attached to the hold down fastener or the upper fastener that attaches the spring to the rod prior to installation.

Referring to FIGS. 272-275 , the rod tension spring is 3 pre-compressed prior to installation. The lower fastener is a split nut fastener 16 while the upper fastener is a hex nut 14. The spring 3 is locked in the compressed state with metal ties 28, such as wires with ends tied together, as shown in FIGS. 272-273 , or with plastic ties 36, as shown in FIGS. 274-275 . The ties are cut after installation to activate the spring 3.

Referring to FIGS. 276-280 , the hex nut in FIGS. 272-275 is replaced with a plastic flex nut fastener 228. The spring 3 is shown released in FIGS. 277 and 280 after installation by cutting the ties to activate the spring. The flex nut fastener 228 has a descending (or ascending) circular bottom surface that advantageously matches the coil angle of the spring 3, as shown in FIGS. 277 and 280 for greater contact between the end of the spring and the flex nut fastener.

Referring to FIGS. 281-284 , the hex nut in FIGS. 272-275 is replaced with a split nut fastener 16. After initial installation, the spring is compressed to its maximum state, called solid state, where the coils are close together or touching each other. At this state, the spring provides a solid connection between the upper and lower split nut fasteners 16, advantageously allowing sharing of the uplift loads.

The embodiments disclosed above in FIGS. 272-284 advantageously allow easier and faster installation in the field. The step of compressing the spring at the site is advantageously avoided by having the springs pre-compressed at the factory.

In the following description, a spring provides tension to the rod and actuates a hold down fastener. The spring is pre-compressed prior to installation. The spring is attached to the upper fastener that attaches the spring to the rod prior to installation and the spring is not attached to the hold down fastener prior to installation.

Referring to FIGS. 285-288 , the flex nut fasteners 16 are attached to the springs 3 with the ties 28, 36. The assembly of the fastener and the compressed spring advantageously reduces the number of components for installation.

Referring to FIGS. 289-293 , the spring 3 is pre-compressed in around cylindrical holder 410 which is threaded to the tie rod 4. An upper spring retainer 388 and a lower removable clip 412 (FIG. 292 ) keep the spring compressed around the holder 410. When the removable clip is removed, the spring is released to bear on the lower fastener 16. The spring holder 410 may be made of plastic since it subject to much lower load than the lower fastener 16. The spring holder 410 keeps the upper end of the spring 3 stationary with respect to the tie rod 4 and applies tension to the tie rod. The lower fastener 16 functions to resist the uplift load from the wall member. The removable clip 410 works in the same way as the other removable clips disclosed herein.

FIGS. 290 and 293 show removable clip removed and the spring 3 released and bearing on the split nut fastener 16 to actuate the split nut fastener to take up slack in the tie rod as the wall member 6 moves down due to wall shrinkage or settlement.

The spring 3 is shown expanded in FIGS. 291 and 293 when the wall member 6 has moved down due to wall shrinkage or settlement. The assembly of the fastener and the compressed spring advantageously reduces the number of components for installation.

The spring 3 may be used alone without the lower fastener. The spring 3 applies tension to the tie rod 4 and expands as the wall member 6 moves down. During an uplift event, the spring advantageously functions to dampen the uplift force.

Although a split nut fastener 16 is shown for the lower fastener in FIGS. 272-293 , other fasteners disclosed herein may be used.

In the following description, a spring provides tension to the rod and actuates a hold down fastener. The spring is pre-compressed prior to installation. The spring is attached to the upper fastener that attaches the spring to the rod, and the hold down fastener prior to installation.

Referring to FIGS. 294-297 , spring 3 is pre-compressed and attached to the lower and upper fasteners 16 with ties. Split nut fasteners 16 are shown for the fasteners, but other fasteners disclosed herein may be used. The ties are threaded through holes in the housings 19 of the fasteners. Tie wires 28 with twisted ends are shown, but the plastic tie straps 36 may also be used. The spring 3 is activated by cutting the ties. Load sharing between the lower and upper fasteners is made possible prior to the spring expansion, as shown in FIG. 296 , showing the ties cut and the spring still in the solid, un-expanded state. FIG. 297 shows the spring expanded as the wall member 6 moves down and the spring 3 pushes the lower fastener 16 to stay in contact with the wall member 6. The tie 28 is shown working its way through the upper fastener 16. The wire tie 28 is advantageously malleable to be able to straighten as it passes through the upper fastener 16.

Referring to FIGS. 298-300 , the upper and lower fasteners with the rod tension spring 3 between are packaged as a unit. Two separate split nut fasteners 16 are attached together with the pre-compressed spring 3 between them with wire ties 28 with twisted ends to bundle the fasteners and the spring together. Plastic tie straps 36 may also be used. Holes in the lower and upper housings 19 of the split nut fasteners are provided to thread the wire ties.

Referring to FIG. 301 , the upper split nut fastener shown in FIG. 300 is replaced with a flex nut fastener 228. Since the load for the upper fastener 228 is much less than the load for the lower fastener 16, a flex nut fastener 228, which is made of plastic, may be used. Holes through the outer edge portions of the flex nut fastener 228 are used to thread the ties 28 through holes in the housing 19 of the flex nut fastener 16.

Referring to FIGS. 302-307 , the upper fastener and the lower fastener may be made of flex nut fasteners 414, 416 with the pre-compressed spring 3 between them. The upper flex nut fastener 414 includes a spring holder portion 418 which is retained in the lower flex nut fastener 416 with a removable clip 420. The holder portion 418 includes a shoulder portion 422 that engages the metal clip 420, as shown in FIG. 304 . The clip 420 is removably retained in the lower flex nut fastener 416. The pre-compressed spring 3 is retained in the holder portion 418. The lower flex nut fastener 416 includes a sleeve portion 424 with a recess 426 for receiving the shoulder portion 422 so as to interlock with the clip 420 After installation to a tie rod, the clip 420 is removed, allowing the spring 3 to push the lower flex nut fastener 416 downwardly when the wall member 6 (see FIG. 297 ) moves down. FIG. 307 shows the spring 3 expanded due to settlement of the wall and the wall member.

The flex nut fasteners 414, 416 work the same way as the flex nut fasteners 228 in terms of their interaction with the rod 4 and the spring 3.

Referring to FIGS. 308-311 , the pre-compressed spring 3 may be enclosed in the upper fastener. The upper flex nut fastener 428 includes an internal cylindrical recess 430 to receive the spring 3. A removable pin 432 attaches the lower flex nut fastener 434 to the upper flex nut fastener 428. The pin 432 is attached to the lower flex nut fastener 434. The upper flex nut fastener 428 at its lower end includes a shoulder 436 that extends below the pin to lock the flex nut fasteners together, as shown in FIGS. 308-309 . The pre-compressed spring 3 is held in place between the lower and upper flex nut fasteners 428, 434. When the pin 432 is removed, the lower flex nut fastener 434 is separated from the upper flex nut fastener 428, allowing the spring 3 to push the lower flex nut fastener 434 down when the wall member 6 moves down due to wall settlement or shrinkage. FIGS. 310-311 show the spring 3 expanded due to the downward movement of the wall member 6.

The flex nut fasteners 428, 434 work the same way as the flex nut fasteners 228 in terms of their interaction with the rod 4 and the spring 3.

Referring to FIGS. 312-317 , the upper flex nut fastener 438 includes an outward shoulder 440 that interlocks with a shoulder 442 in the lower flex nut fastener 444. The upper flex nut fastener 438 is pushed down to align with the slot 446 in the lower flex nut fastener 44 and twisted clockwise to place the outward shoulder 440 underneath the shoulder 442 to lock the flex nut fasteners together and keep the spring 3 compressed, as shown in FIG. 314 . The spring 3 is disposed inside the upper flex nut fastener, as shown in FIG. 314 . To activate the spring 3, the upper flex nut fastener 438 is rotated counterclockwise to align the shoulder 440 with the slot 446, as shown in FIG. 315. The spring 3 is then free to expand to push the lower flex nut fastener 444 as the wall member 6 moves down with the wall due to wall shrinkage or settlement, as shown in FIGS. 316-317 .

The flex nut fasteners 438, 446 work the same way as the flex nut fasteners 228 in terms of their interaction with the rod 4 and the spring 3.

Referring to FIGS. 318-322 , the shoulder 442 shown in FIGS. 312-317 is a tear-away shoulder 448 to release the upper flex nut fastener 438 from the lower flex nut fastener 450, and thereby allow the spring 3 to expand as the wall member 6 moves down with the wall due to wall settlement or shrinkage. The tab tear-away shoulder 448 is joined at opposite ends to the lower flex nut fastener body with thinned-out portions 442 configured to be torn away by hand. A handle portion 454 is attached to the tear-away shoulder 448 to provide a user's fingers to grab and pull on the tear-away shoulder 448. The lower flex nut fastener includes a resilient member 456 that engages the end of the shoulder 440 to lock the upper flex nut fastener 438 in place once the outward shoulder 440 is rotated into position under the tear-away shoulder 448, as shown in FIG. 321 . Once locked, the upper flex nut fastener 438 cannot be rotated back to release the spring 3. Only by pulling, tearing, and separating the tear-away shoulder 448 from the lower flex nut fastener 450 will release the spring 3 be released. The tear-away shoulder 448 advantageously provides a positive sign that the spring 3 has been activated.

The flex nut fasteners 438, 450 work the same way as the flex nut fasteners 228 in terms of their interaction with the rod 4 and the spring 3.

Referring to FIGS. 323-326 , the lower fastener is a split nut fastener 458, which is made of metal for handling a larger load of uplift forces while the upper fastener is a flex nut fastener 460, which is made of plastic for handling a smaller load of holding the spring pressure. The split nut fastener 458 includes an inward shoulder 462 that interlocks with an outward tear-away shoulder 464. The tear-away shoulder includes a pull tab 466 that protrudes through a slot 468 below the inward shoulder after the flex nut fastener is rotated clockwise to engage the tear away shoulder 464 with the inward shoulder 462 of the split nut fastener 460. The pull tab 466 is used to keep the upper nut fastener 460 from rotating out of engagement with the split nut fastener 458, keeping the part from actuating until the tear-away shoulder 464 is removed, as shown in FIG. 325 . The pull tab 466 sticks out through the slot 468, ready to be pulled to activate the spring 3. The tear-away shoulder 464 is pulled through the slot 468 by the pull tab 466 to separate the tear-away shoulder 464 from the flex nut fastener 460. After the tear-away shoulder 464 is removed, the spring 3 is free to expand. FIG. 326 shows the spring 3 expanded after the wall member 6 has moved down due to wall settlement or shrinkage.

The flex nut fastener 460 and flex nut fastener 458 work the same way as the flex nut fasteners 228 and the split nut fastener 16, respectively, in terms of their interaction with the rod 4 and the spring 3.

Referring to FIGS. 327-329 , the lower fastener is made of the pin nut fastener 326 shown in FIGS. 184-199 . The pin nut fastener 326 is held to the upper flex nut fastener 414 with a with a removable clip 420. The clip 420 interlocks the pin nut fastener 326 with the flex nut fastener 414. A shoulder 442 at the bottom portion of the flex nut fastener 414 is disposed below the shaft of the clip 420, which is held by the pin nut fastener 326. Removing the pull clip 420 releases the flex nut fastener 414 from the pin nut fastener 326, allowing the spring 3 to expand as the wall member 6 moves down with the wall due to wall shrinkage or settlement. The arrangement advantageously provides one assembly to slide down the rod to install.

Referring to FIG. 330 , an expandable fastener 470 includes an inner cylindrical member 472 threaded to the tie rod 4. An outer cylindrical member 474 holds the rod tension spring 3, which also functions as an actuator spring. A removable clip 184 locks the inner cylindrical member 472 to the outer cylindrical member 474 before activation. The threaded connection of the inner cylindrical member 472 to the rod 4 advantageously eliminates the need for a hex nut at the upper end of the of the inner cylindrical member 472. The inside cylindrical member 472 receives load from the threaded rod 4 via the threaded connection. The load from the rod 4 is distributed directly into the walls of the inside cylindrical member 472, instead of through a hex nut located at the top. The load is advantageously distributed along the length of the inner cylindrical member 472 and the outer cylindrical member 474. When the clip 184 is removed, the spring 3 causes the outer cylindrical member 474 to move with the wall member 6 while the inner cylindrical member 472 stays stationary with respect to the rod 4. During uplift of the wall, the outer cylindrical member 474 locks with the inner cylindrical member 472, transferring the uplift forces to the inner cylindrical member 472 and the rod 4.

Referring to FIGS. 331-332 , a torsional-type expandable fastener 476 includes an inner cylindrical member 478 threaded to the rod 4 and an outer cylindrical member 480 threaded to the inner cylindrical member 478. The torsional spring 140 is wound around the outer cylindrical member 480 and operably attached to the outer and inner cylindrical members 480, 478 to cause screw rotation when the removable clip 184 is removed, and the wall member 6 moves down. The operation is the same as shown in FIGS. 74-75 . FIG. 332 shows the spring 140 expanded after the removable clip 184 has been removed and the wall member 6 has moved down.

Referring to FIGS. 333-335 , the fastener shown is an expandable fastener 482 similar in operation as the fastener 368 shown in FIG. 251 . Except for the inner cylindrical member 484, all the components are the same as the fastener 368. The inner cylindrical member 484 includes a groove 486 at the bottom for receiving the removable clip 184. The inner cylindrical member 484 is threaded to the rod 4 and the spring retainer 374 is attached to the inner cylindrical member 484. The removable clip 184 keeps inner and outer cylindrical members 484, 370 locked together to keep the spring 3 compressed for installation. FIG. 335 shows the clip 184 removed and the spring 3 expanded after the wall member 6 has moved down due to wall settlement or shrinkage.

Referring to FIG. 336 , the fastener 482 is modified so that the inner cylindrical member 490 is not threaded to the rod 4 but is held by a hex nut 14. The hex nut 14 is disposed between the inner cylinder 490 and the spring retainer 374. The hex nut 14 fits inside the lower part of the inner cylindrical member 490. The operation is the same as the fastener in FIG. 333 .

Referring to FIG. 337 , the expandable fastener 488 is modified as expandable fastener 492. The inner cylindrical body 490 and the nut 14 are modified into a split nut fastener, with the nut segments 18 attaching the inner cylindrical member 494 to the rod 4.

Referring to FIGS. 338-340 , a lower split nut fastener 16 is interlocked with an upper split nut fastener 16 with a removable clip 184. The spring 3 is prevented from expanding until the clip 184 is removed, as shown in FIG. 340 . The housing of the upper split nut fastener 16 may be made of plastic since the fastener is used only to hold the spring force. The top cover 496 of the lower split nut fastener 16 and the bottom of the upper split nut fastener 16 include opposing grooves 498 that receive the removable clip 184 to attach the split nut fasteners 16 together. The arms of the clip 184 preferably have flattened cross-section, such as rectangular, to advantageously provide more contact area within the grooves 498. The lower split nut fastener 16 is made of metal since this fastener is used to resist the uplift forces when the wall member 6 moves up due to hurricanes, windstorm, earthquake, etc. The upper and lower split nut fasteners 16 are advantageously attached together as one unit for easy installation. The unit is simply slid down the rod 4 to install.

Referring to FIGS. 341-342 , the arrangement is similar to FIGS. 235-242 , except with the use of the removable pin 432 to keep the lower and upper flex nut fasteners together as a unit. The lower flex nut fastener 228 is attached to an upper flex nut fastener 228 with the removable pin 432. The lower flex nut fastener 228 includes the spring guide 248 with its upper end disposed in a hole in the upper flex nut fastener 228. The removable pin 432 locks the spring guide 248 inside the hole to keep the spring 80 from expanding. When the pin 432 is removed, the spring 80 is released to push the lower flex nut fastener 228 down when the wall member 6 moves down. The pin 432 attaches both flex nut fasteners 228 together, creating a unit with a compressed spring that is simply slid down the rod to install. The pin 432 is removed to activate the assembly and allow the spring 80 to expand.

Referring to FIG. 343 , the expandable fastener 368 shown in FIG. 256 is modified as expandable fastener 500 with the provision of the removable clip 184 to interlock the inner cylindrical member 372 with the outer cylindrical member 370 for installation. The inner cylindrical member 372 includes the groove 486 at the bottom for receiving the removable clip 184. The springs 80 are pre-compressed and held in the compressed state by the use of the removable clip 184. The clip 184 is removed after installation to allow the springs 80 to push the outer cylindrical member 370 toward the wall member 6.

Referring to FIGS. 344-345 , the fastener shown is similar to the expandable fastener 500 shown in FIG. 343 where the springs 80 are retained in a sleeve 396 that surrounds the outer cylindrical member 370. A spring retainer 388 is attached to the inner cylindrical member 372. A removable clip 184 locks the outer and inner cylindrical members 370, 372 together with the pre-compressed springs 80 urging the outer cylindrical member 370 to move downwardly. After installation, the removable clip 184 is removed to allow the springs 80 to push the outer cylindrical member 370 to the wall member 6, thereby picking up the slack in the tie rod 4 when the wall member 6 moves down due to wall shrinkage or settlement.

In the following description, a spring provides tension to the rod and a hold down fastener and multiple springs are used. One spring actuates the hold down fastener and provides tension to the rod, one or more springs provide tension to the rod only, and the force of all the springs on providing the rod tension is additive (cumulative).

Referring to FIGS. 346-347 , the expandable fastener 482 shown in FIG. 333 is used with another spring 502 to provide tension to the rod 4 before the spring 3 is activated. The fastener 502 includes its own spring 3 for actuating the fastener and also provides tension to the rod 4. The lower spring 502 disposed below the fastener provides additional tension to the rod 4. The lower spring 502 bears on the wall member 6 and the inner cylindrical member 484, which is threaded to the rod 4. Before the removable clip 184 is removed to activate the fastener, the lower spring 502 provides tension to the rod 4. After activation, both the actuation spring 3 and the lower spring 502 provide tension to the rod additively, as shown in FIG. 347 . The fastener in FIG. 347 is shown expanded due to the wall member having moved downward due to wall settlement or shrinkage. The lower spring 502 pushes the inner cylindrical member 484 into the outer cylindrical member 370 as the outer cylindrical member moves down. The spring 3 and the spring 502 advantageously operate independently of each other. If the spring 3 is not activated, the spring 502 will still operate to keep the rod 4 under tension.

Referring to FIGS. 348-350 , the torsional-type expandable fastener 476 shown in FIG. 331 is used with another spring 502 to provide tension to the rod. The fastener includes its own spring 140 for actuating the fastener and also provides tension to the rod 4. The lower spring 502 disposed below the fastener provides additional tension to the rod 4. The lower spring 502 bears on the wall member 6 and the inner cylindrical member 478, which is threaded to the rod 4. Before the removable clip 184 is removed to activate the fastener, the lower spring 502 provides tension to the rod. After activation, both the actuation spring 478 and the lower spring 502 provide tension to the rod additively, as shown in FIG. 349 . The fastener 476 in FIG. 349 is shown expanded due to the wall member 6 having moved downward due to wall settlement or shrinkage. The lower spring 502 moves into the outer cylindrical member 480 as the outer cylindrical member moves down. Instead of the inner cylindrical member 478 being threaded to the rod 4, a hex nut 14 may be used to attach the inner cylindrical member to the rod, as shown in FIG. 350 . The spring 140 and the spring 502 advantageously operate independently of each other. If the spring 140 or 502 is not activated, the activated spring will still operate to keep the rod 4 under tension.

Referring to FIGS. 351-352 , the expandable fastener 470 shown in FIG. 330 is used with the spring fixture 100 shown in FIG. 56 to provide tension to the rod 4. The spring fixture 100 includes a spring 504 disposed inside the fixture 100 and the fastener 470 is disposed inside the spring 3. The fixture at its top portion is threaded to the rod 4, preferably using one turn of thread, as shown in FIG. 352 . The fastener 470 includes its own spring 3 independent from the spring 504 of the fixture for actuating the fastener 470 and also provides tension to the rod 4. The fastener includes its own removable clip 184. The spring fixture encloses the fastener 470 and provides additional tension to the rod when its removable clip 102 (see FIG. 56 ) is removed and bears on the wall member 6 via the bearing plate 12. The spring fixture 100 is attached to the rod independently of the fastener 470. Before the removable clip 184 of the fastener is removed to activate the fastener 470, the spring fixture provides tension to the rod. After activation, both the actuation spring 3 and the spring 504 of the fixture provide tension to the rod additively, as shown in FIG. 351 . The fastener in FIG. 351 is shown expanded due to the wall member 6 having moved downward due to wall settlement or shrinkage. The spring 3 and the spring 504 advantageously operate independently of each other. If the spring 3 or 504 is not activated, the activated spring will still operate to keep the rod 4 under tension.

Referring to FIGS. 353-356 , the spring fixture 100 is modified as spring fixture 101, which includes a cylindrical member 506 inside the fixture to advantageously guide the spring 504 as it expands when the wall member 6 moves down. The spring 504 is disposed between the cylindrical member 506 and the fixture 100. The spring 504 pushes the cylindrical member 506 against the wall member 6 as it expands, as shown in FIG. 355 . The fixture 101 is attached to the rod 4 with a hex nut 14, as shown in FIG. 354 . The upper portion of the fixture may also be threaded to the rod 4, as shown in FIG. 356 .

The spring fixture 101 is installed over the expandable fastener 508, which is similar to the expandable fastener 470 (see FIG. 330 ), except that the inner cylindrical member 472 is not threaded to the rod 4. Instead, the hex nut 14 holds the inner cylindrical member 472 to the rod 4. The spring fixture can be installed before the expandable fastener 508 is activated. The spring fixture 101 directs the spring force between the bearing plate and the upper nut 14. The spring force does not travel through the expandable fastener 508. The spring fixture 101 can be activated and provide rod tension even if the expandable fastener 508 is not activated. The spring 3 and the spring 504 advantageously operate independently of each other. If the spring 3 or 504 is not activated, the activated spring will still operate to keep the rod 4 under tension.

Referring to FIGS. 357-359 , the expandable fastener 508 is installed and activated before the spring fixture 510 is installed. The spring fixture 510 includes an upper cylindrical member 512 and a lower cylindrical member 514 attached to leg portions 516 straddling the fastener 508. An annular shoulder 518 at the upper end of the upper cylindrical member 512, and an annular shoulder 520 at the lower end of the lower cylindrical member 514 serve to retain the spring 504. A removable clip 102 locks the upper and lower cylindrical members 512, 514 together prior to activation. The upper cylindrical member 512 is attached to the rod 4 with a hex nut 14. When activated the spring fixture 510 creates spring force between the bearing plate 12 and the hex nut 14. The spring force does not travel through the expandable fastener 508. The spring 3 and the spring 504 advantageously operate independently of each other. If the spring 504 is not activated, the spring 3 will still operate to keep the rod 4 under tension. FIG. 359 shows the springs 3 and 504 in the expanded state due to the wall member 6 having moved down due to wall shrinkage or settlement.

It should be understood that the force of the spring 504 advantageously adds to the force of the spring 3 to lift the weight of the tie rod below to place that section of the tie rod under tension and to push some of the weight of the tie rod above to the next fastener to assist the fastener above in placing that other section of the tie rod under tension.

Referring to FIGS. 360-361 , the arrangement of the lateral springs 24 shown in FIGS. 9-10 is modified with the addition of the expandable fastener 508 to resist uplift forces. The lateral springs 24 provide tension to the rod 4 independently of the fastener 508. The lateral springs 24 do not encircle the tie rod 4 or the expandable fastener 508, advantageously allowing the size (diameter) of the lateral springs 24 to be not dependent on the size (diameter) of the tie rod 4. The actuation spring 3 adds to the lateral springs providing tension to the tie rod. The hex nut 14 bearing on the cross member or bearing plate 26 keep the upper ends of the springs 24 fixed relative to the rod 4. FIG. 361 shows the lateral springs 24 and the fastener 508 in the expanded state, after removal of the removable clip 184 and after the wall member 6 has moved down due to wall shrinkage or settlement.

Referring to FIGS. 362-365 , the arrangement of lateral springs 24 shown in FIGS. 9-10 is modified with the addition of a torsional-type expandable fastener 476 to resist uplift forces. The lateral springs 24 provide tension to the rod 4 independently of the fastener 476. The lateral springs 24 do not encircle the tie rod 4 or the expandable fastener 476, advantageously allowing the size (diameter) of the lateral springs 24 to be not dependent on the size (diameter) of the tie rod 4. The torsional spring 140 of the fastener adds to the lateral springs 24 in providing tension to the tie rod. The hex nut 14 bearing on the cross member or bearing plate 26 keep the upper ends of the springs 24 fixed relative to the rod 4. FIG. 363 shows the lateral springs 24 and the fastener spring 140, after removal of the removable clip 184, in the expanded state after the wall member 6 has moved down due to wall shrinkage or settlement. The fastener 476 is threaded to the tie rod as shown in FIG. 362 .

Referring to FIGS. 364-365 , the torsional-type expandable fastener 476 is not threaded to the tie rod 4 (see also FIG. 350 ). Instead, the upper cross member or bearing plate 26 and the hex nut 14 keep the torsion spring compressed during installation. When the wall member 6 moves down, the fastener 476 moves down with the wall member due to the torsion spring 140 causing the outer cylindrical member 480 to screw down after removal of the removable clip 184, as shown in FIG. 365 .

Referring to FIGS. 366-367 , the arrangement of lateral springs 24 shown in FIGS. 9-10 is modified with the addition of a split nut fastener 16 shown in FIG. 260 . The lateral springs 24 provide tension to the rod 4 independently of the fastener spring 80. The lateral springs 24 do not encircle the tie rod 4 or the split nut fastener 16, advantageously allowing the size (diameter) of the lateral springs 24 to be not dependent on the size (diameter) of the tie rod 4. The actuation springs 80 add to the lateral springs 24 in providing tension to the tie rod 4. FIG. 367 shows the lateral springs 24 and the fastener spring 80 in the expanded state after the wall member 6 has moved down due to wall shrinkage or settlement. The springs 80 push the washer 30 upward as the housing 19 moves down.

Referring to FIGS. 368-369 , the washer 30 shown in FIGS. 366-367 is not used. The cross member or bearing plate 26 and the hex nut 14 keep the lateral springs and the actuation springs 80 of the split nut fastener 16 compressed during installation. The washer 30 and the hex nut 14 shown in FIG. 366 are not used. The cross member or bearing plate 26 provides the function of the washer 30. When the wall member 6 moves down, the split nut fastener 16 moves down with the wall member due to the side springs 80, causing the split nut fastener 16 to move down with the wall member 6, as shown in FIG. 369 .

It should be understood that the forces of the springs 24, 3, 140, 80 advantageously add up to lift preferably about ½ of the weight of the tie rod below to place that section of the tie rod under tension and to push some weight of the tie rod above to the next fastener to assist the fastener above in placing that other section of the tie rod under tension.

In the following description, a hold down fastener without an actuating spring is disclosed.

Referring to FIG. 370 , a split nut fastener 16 is attached to the wall member 6. When the wall member moves down, the nut segments 18 slide down the rod 4. An actuator spring is not used. Instead, the downward movement of the wall member 6 actuates the fastener 16.

Referring to FIGS. 371-372 , an expandable fastener 522 similar to the expandable fastener 368 without the actuating spring 3 shown in FIG. 251 is disclosed. The outer cylindrical member 370 is attached to the wall member 6. The inner cylindrical member 372 is threaded to the rod 4. When the wall member 6 moves down, the outer cylindrical member 370 travels down with it. When wall uplift occurs, the inner and outer cylindrical members 372, 370 lock together to resist the uplift forces.

In the following description, various embodiments of a flex nut fastener are disclosed.

Referring to FIGS. 373-375 and 400-406 , the flex nut fastener 228 shown in FIGS. 93-96 and disclosed elsewhere may include a single resilient finger 230 (FIG. 373 ), multiple resilient fingers 230 (FIGS. 374-375 ), with non-circular (FIG. 373), circular (FIG. 374 ) or hexagonal (FIG. 375 ) outer shapes. The outer edges 522 of the resilient fingers 230 may progressively be lower below the top surface 534 of the body 524 around the opening 526 follow the helix of the thread, as shown in FIGS. 403-404 . In this arrangement, the top surface 534 remains substantially perpendicular to the axis of the rod 4 when flex nut fastener is installed. The outer edges 522 may also remain level from the top surface 534, in which case the flex nut fastener when installed to the rod 4 will be cocked to one side, as shown in FIGS. 405-406 . Whether the elevation of the outer edges of the fingers 230 as they go around the opening 526 is level or helical is equally applicable to a round body, or a hexagonal body, as shown in FIGS. 401 and 402 .

Each flex nut fastener 228 includes a body 524 with an opening 526 through which the rod 4 may extend. A recess 528 in the body 524 inside the opening 526 allows the resilient finger 230 to go into the recess 528 to clear the opening 526 and out of the recess 528 as the flex nut fastener is slid down the rod. The resilient finger 230 is biased to extend out into the opening 526 so as to place the outer edge 522 inside the groove of the threads of the rod 4. The flex nut fastener may be adjusted relative to the rod by turning the body 524 clockwise or counterclockwise just like a regular nut.

In the following description, a ring nut fastener is disclosed.

Referring to FIG. 376 , a ring nut fastener 312 (also shown in FIGS. 170-179 ) may be used as a lower or upper fastener. The ring nut fastener 312 has a ring- or sleeve-shaped body 530 and a projection 314 inside the opening 532 for receiving the rod 4. The projection 314 is designed to be interference fitted inside the thread groove of the rod to the hold the fastener in place.

In the following description, various embodiments of a split nut fastener are disclosed.

Referring to FIGS. 377-387 , the split nut fastener is shown in various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 377 , the split nut fastener includes housing with a cap 250 threaded to the top opening of the housing 19. The cap 250 includes a central opening for the rod. The cap 250 retains the actuating spring 22 inside the housing. A washer 21 bearing on the nut segments 18 supports the lower end of the spring. See also FIG. 118 .

Referring to FIG. 378 , the split nut fastener uses a split ring 256 disposed in a circumferential groove 257 inside the housing. The ring 256 retains the actuation spring 22 inside the housing. A washer 21 bearing on the nut segments 18 supports the lower end of the spring. See also FIG. 126 . The housing has no cap and is open at the top.

Referring to FIG. 379 , the cap 250 is press-fit into the top opening of the housing is shown. The cap retains the actuating spring 22 inside the housing. A washer 21 bearing on the nut segments 18 supports the lower end of the spring. See also FIG. 120 .

Referring to FIG. 380 , the cap 250 press-fit to the outside wall of the housing is shown. The cap 250 is used to retain the actuating spring 22 inside the housing. The cap includes an opening for the rod. A washer 21 bearing on the nut segments 18 supports the lower end of the spring. See also FIG. 122 .

Referring to FIG. 381 , a plastic cap 276 with integrated actuation spring 278 is shown. The cover 276 is press-fit to the inside wall of the housing. The actuation spring 22 is in the form of plastic leaf springs pressing directly on the nut segments 18. See also FIG. 141 .

Referring to FIG. 382 , the plastic cap 276 is press-fit into the housing opening. The cap includes molded plastic helical actuation spring 278 pressing directly on the nut segments 18. See also FIG. 144 .

Referring to FIG. 383 , the housing 19 an open top opening and does not have a cover to allow a rod tension spring 270 to reach inside the housing and provide the function of the actuation spring. A washer 21 on the nut segments 18 provides a bearing surface for the rod tension spring 3. See also FIG. 136 .

Referring to FIG. 384 , the actuation spring is threaded to a flange portion 262 around the top opening of the housing 19. The threaded attachment advantageously eliminates the need for a spring retainer. A washer 21 bearing on the nut segments supports the lower end of the spring. See also FIG. 131 .

Referring to FIG. 385 , the actuation spring 22 has a larger diameter at the upper end which is held by an inward lip portion 262 at the top opening of the housing. A washer 21 bearing on the nut segments 18 supports the lower end of the spring. See also FIG. 132 .

Referring to FIG. 386 , shows the actuation spring in the form of a helical flat spring 265 bears directly on the nut segments 18. The spring 265 is preferably conical, with the upper end being retained by an inward shoulder 268 at the top of the opening of the housing. See also FIG. 133 .

Referring to FIG. 387 , the helical flat spring 265 has its upper portion threaded into an inward shoulder 268 at the top of the opening of the housing.

The split nut fasteners shown in FIGS. 383-387 advantageously require no cap.

In the following description, a pin nut fastener 326, spring clip nut fastener 344, and single-pin clip fastener 358 are further disclosed.

Referring to FIGS. 388-399 , the pins 336 or the pin portions 350, 360 of the clips 348, 358 may engage the threads of the rod 4 horizontally, as shown in FIGS. 392 and 398 , or at an angle corresponding to the helix angle of the threads, as shown in FIGS. 391 and 399 . The pins may also engage the threads simultaneously, as shown in FIG. 393 , or alternately, as shown in FIG. 394 .

In the following description, manual compression of rod tension spring during installation is disclosed.

Referring to FIGS. 407-410 , the rod tension spring 3 may be compressed manually during installation, using a fixture 536, which is similar to the fixture 58 shown in FIGS. 39-44 without the activation clip 76. The fixture 536 has flexible fingers 538 with threaded profile outer edges 540, as disclosed in FIGS. 41-42 . The fixture 536 includes a U-shaped top member 542 and a U-shaped wall 544 extending downwardly from the top member 542. The wall 544 has a bottom 546. The flexible fingers 538 extend inwardly from the wall 544. To compress the spring 3, the fixture 536 is positioned inside the spring 3, as shown in FIG. 408 . The spring 3 with the fixture 536 is slid down the rod 4 through the U-shaped top member 542 away from the bottom 546 of the wall 544, as shown in FIGS. 407 and 408 . The fixture is then pressed down until the spring 3 is compressed, as shown in FIG. 409 . While keeping spring 3 pressed down, the fixture 536 is then slid toward the bottom 546 of the wall 544, allowing the edges 540 of fingers 538 to mesh and lock with the threads of the rod 4, as shown in FIG. 410 . As the wall member 6 moves down due to wall shrinkage or settlement, the fixture 546 will stay fixed to the rod 4 while the spring 3 expands to take up the space vacated by the wall member 6. The fixture 536 is advantageously simpler as it does not require a removable clip 76 to hold the spring pre-compressed during installation.

Referring to FIGS. 411-413 , the rod tension spring 3 shown in FIG. 408 may be replaced with lateral springs 80 and compressed manually during installation, using a fixture with the flexible 548 as disclosed in FIGS. 45-47 , but without the activation clip 84. The springs 80 are manually compressed while the flexible threaded fingers 62 are not engaging the rod thread, as shown in FIG. 411 . After compressing, the fixture 548 is moved sideways toward the rod to engage the flexible threaded fingers 62 with the rod thread, as shown in FIGS. 407-410 (see also FIGS. 46-47 ). The fixture 548 is advantageously simpler as it does not require a removable clip 84 to hold the spring pre-compressed during installation. The fixture 548 may be installed even after the rod is installed due to the open geometry that does not require the fixture 548 to be inserted through the end of the rod 4.

In the following description, pre-stretched rod tension springs are disclosed.

Referring to FIGS. 414-432 , various embodiments of a fixture for pre-stretching the spring in FIGS. 80-81 before installation may be used.

Referring to FIGS. 414-418 , a fixture 550 includes a U-shaped base member 552 for attaching to a wall member 6, a U-shaped threaded member 554 for attaching to the rod 4, and a removable member 556 for removably attaching to the base member 552 and the threaded member 554 for keeping the springs 186 in their stretched state before installation. The springs 186 are operably attached to the base member 552 and the threaded member 554 after being stretched. To install, with the springs stretched and attached to the fixture, the base member 552 is attached with screws or other standard means to the wall member 6, and the member 554 is snapped into the rod 4 to lock the flexible fingers 558 with the threads of the rod 4, as shown in FIGS. 416-417 . The flexible fingers 558 work in the same way as the flexible fingers 62 of FIGS. 39-41 . After installation, the springs 176 are activated by the removal of the removable member 556, as shown in FIG. 418 . The springs 186 will contract as the wall member moves down, providing tension to the rod 4 by pulling the rod upward toward the wall member 6. The fixture 550 has an open geometry to allow installation even after the rod has been installed. Although two springs 186 are shown, it should be understood that a single spring will also work. It should also be understood that the brackets 190 and the fastener 188 shown in FIG. 80 are replaced by the base member 552 and the threaded member 554, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 419-432 , a fixture 560 for pre-stretching the springs 186 before installation is shown. The fixture 560 is similar to the fixture 550, except for the U-shaped member 562 attached to the base member 552, and the U-shaped member 564 attached to the threaded member 554. The members 562 and 564 are slidable with each other. Although shown with the member 564 being slidable inside the member 562, it should be understood that the member 562 can equally be slidable within the member 564. The members 562, 564 are preferably circular defining a circular arc of at least greater than 180 deg. to prevent one member from inadvertently separating from the other member. A removable pin 566 locks the base member 552 to the threaded member 554 before installation with the springs 186 stretched between the base member 552 and the threaded member 554. FIGS. 421 and 422 show the fixture 560 installed underneath the wall member 6 prior to activation. The opposing sliding surfaces of the members 562 and 564 are smooth. FIG. 423 shows the pin 566 removed, the springs 186 retracted and the members 562 and 564 showing greater overlap due to the wall member 6 having moved down due to wall settlement or shrinkage. The fixture has an open geometry to allow installation after the rod is installed. Although two springs are shown, it should be understood that a single spring will also work.

Referring to FIGS. 424-428 , inside surface of the member 562 is provided with longitudinal guide grooves 568 for receiving corresponding longitudinal guide ribs 570 on the outside surface of the member 564. The groove and rib arrangement advantageously prevent the members 562, 564 from rotating with each other after installation and activation.

Referring to FIGS. 429-435 , a fixture 570 is installed from the end of the rod instead of from the side. The fixture 570 is tubular, with a base member 572 with a tubular portion 573 and a threaded member 574 with a tubular member 575, which is slidable inside the tubular member 573. It should be understood that the tubular member 573 may also be slidable inside the tubular member 575. A removable clip 576 locks the base member 572 and the threaded member 574 prior to installation with the springs 186 stretched to their designed length. The threaded member 574 includes fixed lugs 578 for attachment to the springs 186. The springs 186 are pre-stretched before installation. The threaded member 574 is threaded to the rod 4 and remains fixed in position relative to the rod. FIG. 435 shows the clip removed to activate the springs after installation. The base member 572 moves down toward the threaded member 574 as the wall member 6 moves down. Although two springs are shown, it should be understood that a single spring will also work.

Referring to FIGS. 433-435 , the lugs 578 are attached to collar 580 retained within an annular groove 582 in the threaded member 574. The lugs 578 advantageously allow some twisting motion of the springs 186.

Referring to FIGS. 436-439 , the spring 192 shown in FIG. 82 is wound around the cylindrical member 573 and the cylindrical member 575. A removable 576 clip locks the cylindrical members 573, 575 together before installation after the spring has been pre-stretched. After installation and removal of the clip 576, the cylindrical member 573 will move downward toward the cylindrical member 575 as the wall member 6 moves down. The spring 192 provides tension to the rod 4 by pulling up the rod toward the wall member 6. The upper end 584 of the spring 186 has a smaller diameter that is retained in a circular groove 586 in the upper end of the cylindrical member 573. Similarly, the lower end of the spring 192 has a smaller diameter retained in a circular groove 586 in the bottom end of the cylindrical member 575.

Referring to FIGS. 440-443 , spring spacers 586 are used to keep the pre-stretched springs 186 shown in FIG. 414 in their stretched state before installation without the use of the removable member 556. The spacers 586 include a plurality of slots 588 spaced apart to correspond to the pitch of the stretched spring 186. After installation, the spacers 586 are removed to activate the springs.

In the following description, load sharing between the upper and the lower fasteners is disclosed.

Referring to FIGS. 444 , lower and upper split nut fasteners 16 are attached to the rod and the wall member. The upper split nut fastener 16 is stacked on the lower split nut fastener 16. The lower and upper split nut fasteners 16 advantageously share the uplift load from the wall member 6. The lower split nut fastener experience greater force than the upper split nut fastener. The lower split nut fastener includes an enlarged base 590 to provide a larger bearing surface on the wall member 6. The upper split nut fastener and the lower split nut fastener are separate units that do not have to be identical. Stacking the split nut fasteners on top of each other advantageously allows the stacked split nut fasteners to handle more load than each split nut fastener working individually. A bearing plate 12 (see FIG. 5 ) may be used to handle higher forces. Actuation springs 22 keep the nut segments 18 engaged with the threads of the rod 4.

Referring to FIGS. 445-446 , a rod tension spring 3 is retained between the lower shoulder 592 of the lower split nut fastener and the upper shoulder 594 of the upper split nut fastener. The lower and upper split nut fasteners 16 share the uplift load when the rod tension spring has not yet expanded, and the spring coils are touching adjacent coils (solid) so the load from the lower split nut fastener is transmitted through the spring to the upper split nut fastener. The upper and lower split nut fasteners are shown both engaged to the rod 4.

Referring to FIGS. 447-448 , after installation, the upper split nut fastener is shown threadedly engaged to the rod 4 while the lower split nut fastener may be engaged or disengaged to the rod 4. The rod tension spring 3 urges the upper split nut fastener upwardly so that the nut segments always remain engaged to the threads of the rod 4. The lower split nut fastener may be initially disengaged from the rod during installation since the nut segments 18 separate from the rod when the split nut fasteners are pushed down the rod. If wall uplift occurs when the rod tension spring is solid and the lower split nut fastener is disengaged, the upper split nut fastener will take up all of the uplift load. The rod tension spring 3, bearing on the wall member via the lower split nut fastener housing, will transfer the uplift forces to the upper split nut fastener. If wall uplift occurs when the rod tension spring 3 has expanded, and if the lower split nut fastener is disengaged, the upper split nut fastener will take the load as the rod tension spring 3 compresses until the lower split nut fastener engages at which time the lower split nut fastener will take most or all of the load. The lower split nut fastener will engage when the wall lifts up and compresses the rod tension spring 3 and may disengage when the wall settles down and the rod tension spring expands. Accordingly, having two stacked split nut fasteners assures that uplift load will always be resisted.

Referring to FIGS. 449-450 , the location of the rod tension spring 3 is changed from the location shown in FIGS. 445-448 . The load sharing between the lower and upper split nut fasteners is the same. When the rod tension spring is solid, load is shared between the upper and lower split nut fasteners through the rod tension spring. Uplift forces from the wall member 6 are transmitted to the lower split nut fastener housing, to the rod tension spring and finally to the upper split nut fastener housing. After installation when the wall has not yet settled down or shrank, uplift forces are advantageously shared between the lower and upper split nut fasteners via the spring 3, which would be fully compressed to a solid state (adjacent coils touching).

Referring to FIG. 451 , the split nut fasteners 16 shown in FIG. 444 are replaced with an upper flex nut fastener 228 bearing on top of a lower flex nut fastener 228. During wall uplift, the uplift forces are advantageously shared between the flex nut fasteners 228.

Referring to FIGS. 452-453 , the split nut fasteners 16 shown in FIGS. 449-450 are replaced with flex nut fasteners 228. Load sharing between the lower and upper flex nut fasteners is made through the rod tension spring 3 in the solid (not expanded yet) state between the flex nut fasteners. Uplift forces from the wall member 6 are transmitted to the lower flex nut fastener, then to the rod tension spring 3 and finally to the upper flex nut fastener. After installation when the wall has not yet settled down or shrank, uplift forces are advantageously shared between the lower and upper flex nut fasteners. After the spring has expanded, uplift forces are transmitted to the upper flex nut fastener through the spring compression when the lower flex nut fastener has not yet engaged.

Referring to FIGS. 454-456 , as in FIGS. 447-448 , after installation, the upper flex nut fastener is threadedly engaged with the rod 4 while the lower flex nut fastener may be partially engaged or completely disengaged to the rod. The rod tension spring 3 urges the upper flex nut fastener upwardly so that the edges 522 of flexible fingers 230 remain engaged to the respective flanks 596 of the threads of the rod as shown in FIG. 455 . The lower flex nut fastener may be initially disengaged from the rod during installation since the flexible fingers 230 separate from the rod when the flex nut fasteners are pushed down the rod during installation and the edges 522 of the flexible fingers may be positioned on the crest 598, preventing them from engaging the flank 596 of the thread, as shown in FIG. 456 . If wall uplift occurs before the rod tension spring 3 has expanded and the lower flex nut fastener is disengaged, the upper flex nut fastener will advantageously take up the uplift forces. The rod tension spring 3, bearing on the wall member 6 via the lower flex nut fastener, will transfer the uplift forces to the upper flex nut fastener. If wall uplift occurs when the rod tension spring 3 has expanded, and if the lower flex nut fastener is disengaged, the upper flex nut fastener will take the load as the rod tension spring compresses until the lower flex nut fastener engages at which time the lower flex nut fastener will take most or all of the load. The lower flex nut fastener will engage when the wall lifts up and compresses the rod tension spring 3 up and may disengage when the wall settles down and the rod tension spring expands.

Referring to FIGS. 457-458 , the split nut fasteners shown in FIG. 444 (or any of its embodiments) or the flex nut fasteners shown in FIG. 451 , or the pin nut fastener shown in FIG. 459 may be replaced with standard hex nut fasteners 14. The lower hex nut bears on the wall member 6 and the upper hex nut bears on the lower hex nut to provide load sharing between the hex nuts 14. Stacking the fasteners (split nut fasteners, flex nut fasteners, pin nut fasteners) on top of each other advantageously allows the stacked fasteners to handle more load than each fastener working individually.

Referring to FIGS. 459-460 , the split nut fasteners shown in FIG. 444 or the flex nut fasteners shown in FIG. 451 or the hex nuts shown in FIG. 457 may be replaced with pin nut fasteners shown in FIGS. 184-199 . The lower pin nut fastener bears on the wall member 6 and the upper pin fastener bears on the lower pin fastener to provide load sharing between the pin nut fasteners.

Referring to FIGS. 461-462 , the lower and upper pin nut fasteners share the uplift load when the rod tension spring 3 is completely compressed to the solid state. Some of the load from lower pin nut fastener is transferred to upper pin nut fastener through the rod tension spring 3.

Referring to FIG. 463 , after installation, the upper pin nut fastener is threadedly engaged to the rod 4 while the lower pin nut fastener may be engaged or disengaged to the rod. The rod tension spring 3 urges the upper pin nut fastener upwardly so that the pins 336 always remain engaged to the threads of the rod 4. The lower pin nut fastener may be initially disengaged from the rod 4 during installation since the pins 336 separate from the rod 4 when the pin nut fasteners are pushed down the rod. If wall uplift occurs when the rod tension spring is solid (completely compressed) when the lower pin nut fastener is disengaged, the upper pin nut fastener will take up the uplift load. The rod tension spring 3, bearing on the wall member via the lower pin nut fastener housing, will transfer the uplift forces to the upper pin nut fastener. If wall uplift occurs when the rod tension spring has expanded, and if the lower pin nut fastener is disengaged, the upper pin nut fastener will take the load as the rod tension spring compresses until the lower pin nut fastener engages at which time the lower pin nut fastener will take most or all of the load. The lower pin nut fastener will engage when the wall lifts up and compresses the rod tension spring and may disengage when the wall settles down and the rod tension spring expands.

Referring to FIG. 464 , the split nut fasteners shown in FIG. 142 are modified to provide a circumferential inside shoulder 600 on which the cap 276 for the housing opening is supported. The split nut fasteners shown in FIGS. 449-450 are replaced with the version of the split nut fasteners with plastic actuator springs 292. Load sharing between the lower and upper split nut fasteners is as described above.

In the above embodiments comprising a lower fastener, an upper fastener and a rod tension spring in-between, the upper fastener may be selected based on the expected lower load demand as compared to the expected load on the lower fastener. For example, the upper fastener may be made of plastic while the lower fastener may be made from stronger material, such as metal, since the upper fastener is used to resist the spring pressure when fully compressed at installation while the lower fastener is used to resist uplift loads. For example, the upper fastener may be designed to resist at least the spring pressure when fully compressed, which is a lot less than uplift loads that the lower fastener is designed to resist. Cost savings are advantageously realized through this design consideration.

In the following description, a split nut fastener using a silicone insert for actuating the nut segments is disclosed.

Referring to FIGS. 465-470 , additional details are provided for the split nut fastener shown in FIGS. 147-148 . The L-shaped fins 286 are shown in FIGS. 465-467 . The horizontal fins 288 are shown in FIGS. 468-470 . The fins are flexible, resilient, and deformable when the nut segments 18 are inserted into the housing so that the nut segments are urged radially toward the center and the bottom of the housing to interact with the ramp 296 of the housing 19. The fins 286, 288 are part of an insert 284 made of silicone or other similar materials that provide the function of the actuation spring for the nut segments 18.

In the following description, a split nut fastener using metal and plastic parts is disclosed.

Referring to FIGS. 471-475 , the split nut fastener shown in FIGS. 150-152 is modified.

Referring to FIGS. 471-472 , the bottom part 602 of the housing 19 is made of metal, including the ramp portion 296. The rest of the housing is made of plastic. The bottom part interacts with the nut segments 18 during installation and when resisting uplift loads and is therefore subject to relatively higher loads than the rest of the housing. The plastic portion of the housing is preferably latched to a groove 604 on the edge of the bottom portion.

Referring to FIGS. 473-474 , only a portion 606 of the ramp portion next to the horizontal portion 608 of the bottom part is made of metal. During uplift of the wall member, the nut segments 18 bear on the horizontal metal portion 608 and the metal ramp portion 606 so that the rest of the ramp surface and the housing may be made of plastic.

Referring to FIG. 475 , part of the ramp surface may be made from a washer 610 disposed on top of the metal bottom member 294. The nut segments 18 ride on the edge 614 of the washer 610 during installation. During uplift of the wall member, the nut segments 18 bear on the bottom plate member 294 and the washer edge 614 so that the rest of the ramp surface and the housing may be made of plastic.

In the following description, a pre-compressed spring attached to the lower and upper fasteners prior to installation is disclosed.

Referring to FIG. 476 , the lower flex nut fastener shown in FIGS. 312-317 is molded with a large bearing plate 616 to advantageously eliminate the need for a separate bearing plate.

In the following description, a roller nut fastener is disclosed.

Referring to FIGS. 477-478 , a roller nut fastener 618 includes an integrated bearing plate portion 620. A rod tension spring 3 is retained by a hex nut fastener 14. The spring 3 pushes the roller nut fastener 618 down as the wall member 6 moves down due to wall settlement or shrinkage. The roller nut fastener 618 is similar to the pin nut fastener 326 shown in FIGS. 184-199 , except that the outer flexible band 332 is not used.

The roller nut fastener 618 includes a cylindrical body 622 with a through opening 624. Angled grooves 626 are cut into the side of the body 622 into the opening 624. A roller 628 is disposed at the bottom of each groove 626. The roller 628 has the same length or longer than length of the bottom 630 of the groove 626. An intermediate portion of the roller extends into the through opening 624.

The bottom 630 of each slot 626 is tilted to match the helix angle of the threads of the rod 4. The exposed portion of each of the rollers 628 inside the through opening 624 engages the threads of the rod 4. Sliding the roller nut fastener 618 down the rod causes the rollers 628 to ride up the grooves 626. When the roller fastener stops at the designated location on the rod, gravity forces the rollers 628 to go to the bottom 630 of the grooves 626 and engage the threads of the rod. When the rod is placed under tension, the rollers are forced toward the bottom 630 of the grooves 626 and into the threads of the rod, locking the fastener to the rod. The interaction between the angled groove 626, the roller 628 and the flanks of the threads of the rod is the same as described with the pin nut fastener 326 in FIG. 196 .

Referring to FIGS. 479-482 , the cylindrical body 622 of the roller nut fastener 618 may be flat-sided, square, or rectangular in shape. The integrated bearing plate portion 620 may be a separate bearing plate 12 and not integrated with the body, as shown in FIG. 479 . The slots or grooves 626 may be internal to the body, as shown in FIGS. 481-482 and the enlarged body advantageously provides a bearing surface on the wall member 6.

In the following description, a pin nut fastener engaging a rod with a series of grooves is disclosed.

Referring to FIGS. 483-488 , the rod 632 includes a series of individual annular grooves 634 instead of threads. Each groove 634 works with the respective slot 334 and pin 336 of the pin nut fastener 326 of FIG. 184 to allow the fastener to be slid down the rod during installation and locked against wall uplift. The slots 334 have a width 335 wider than the diameter 337 of the pins 336. Each groove 634 includes a portion 635 configured to receive more than half of the cross-section of the pins 336 and a ramp portion 637 oriented downwardly toward the slot 334. FIGS. 485A and 485B show the pin 336 being displaced into the slot 334 as the fastener is slid down the rod. FIGS. 484A and 484B show the pin 336 locked against the groove 634 and the slot 334 to resist the uplift forces of the wall. The grooves 634 are similar to the full receiving volumes and the slots 334 to the partial receiving volumes as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,762,030, herein incorporated by reference.

Referring to FIGS. 486-488 , the rod 632 shown in FIGS. 483-485 may be square rod 636 and the pin nut fasteners 326 are modified as pin nut fasteners 638 with a square through opening 640, advantageously making the fastener stronger due to larger contact areas between the pins 336 and the grooves 634. FIG. 487 shows the fastener locked while FIG. 488 shows the fastener unlocked.

In the following description, a pre-compressed spring prior to installation is used with lower and upper fasteners.

Referring to FIGS. 489-494 , the rod tension spring 3 between the lower and upper fasteners 16 is pre-compressed with tie wires 28. Although shown with split nut fasteners 16, other arrangements of fasteners and rod tension springs disclosed herein may be used. The cable ties 36 may also be used.

In the following description, an L-bracket is used with a hold down fastener and a rod tension spring.

Referring to FIG. 495 , an exemplary building wall 640 is shown supported on a foundation 641. Vertical studs 643 are attached to horizontal bottom plate 650 and top plate 651. A cross member 653 may also be provided. The tie rod 4 may extend to the cross member 653. The various fasteners disclosed herein may be attached to the bottom plate 650, the top plate 651 and/or the cross member 653. The wall 640 may also be more than two stories.

Referring to FIGS. 495-498 , the end portion of a tie rod 4 may be attached to the wall 640 with an L-shaped bracket 642, which includes a back wall 644, side walls 646 and a several layers of bottom walls 648. The bracket is formed from a flat sheet of metal as shown in FIG. 498 , where the bottom walls 648 are formed from back wall 644 and the side walls 646 after being bent 90° to provide three layers of material for the bottom walls 648. The bracket 642 is supported on the bottom plate 650 of a stud wall above another stud wall. The back wall 644 of the bracket is attached with nails or screws to a vertical stud 652. The rod tension spring 2 is attached to the rod 4 and presses on the fastener 16 to keep the fastener in contact with the bottom walls 648 of the bracket even when the wall moves down due to wall settlement or shrinkage. The bracket 642 may also be supported on a cross member. Although a split nut fastener 16 is shown, other arrangement of fasteners and rod tension springs disclosed herein may be used.

Referring to FIGS. 499-502 , another L-shaped bracket 652 of FIGS. 495-498 is attached to the top plate 654 and the vertical studs 656 of the stud wall below. A rod 658 is attached to the lower bracket 642 with a hex nut fastener 14. The upper end of the rod is attached to the upper bracket 642 with a hex nut fastener 14, a pre-compressed spring 3 (see FIG. 14 ) and a split nut fastener 16. The brackets may be attached to the studs with bolts 660, screws or other standard means.

Referring to FIG. 503 , the end portion of the tie rod shown in FIGS. 495-498 may be attached to a bracket 664. The back wall 668 of the bracket is attached to the vertical studs with screws or other standards fasteners. The bottom wall 670, which supports the fastener 16 and rod tension spring 2, is supported by the bottom plate 650. Other arrangements of fasteners and rod tension springs as disclosed herein may also be used.

In the following description, a pre-stretched rod tension spring is disclosed.

Referring to FIGS. 504-508 , the rod tension spring 192 is pre-stretched with a spacer 672 and flex nut fastener 228. The spacer 672 keeps the spring 192 in the stretched state. The spring 192 is held between the base member 674 and the flex nut fastener 228. The spring 192 has reduced diameters at both ends that are held respectively inside an annular groove 676 in the base member 674, and an annular recess 678 in the flex nut fastener 228. The spring assembly 680 with the pre-stretched spring 192 is first attached to the wall member 6 as shown in FIG. 505 . The rod 4 is then inserted through the assembly from below, as shown in FIGS. 506-507 . The flex nut fastener 228 allows the rod 4 to move in the upward direction but not in the downward direction. Finally, the spacer 672 is removed, as shown in FIG. 508 , to activate the spring 192. The spring 192 remains stretched, ready to lift the rod 4 upward through the wall member 6 as the wall member moves down due to wall shrinkage or settlement. The spring 192 provides tension to the rod by lifting the rod toward the wall member 6. When the wall member moves down, the spring lifts the rod through the wall member.

Referring to FIG. 508 , the spacer 672 includes a plurality of arcuate arms 673 with spaces 675 in between to receive the individual coils of the spring 192. The arms 673 provide sufficient clearance inside the spring 192 for the rod 4 to pass through.

In the following description, a pre-compressed spring attached to a lower fastener and an upper fastener is disclosed. The spring provides tension to the rod and actuates the lower fastener. Another spring, pre-stretched and disposed below the wall member, provides additional tension to the rod.

Referring to FIGS. 509-516 , the spring forces of the upper and lower fasteners work together to put tension on the rod. The lower spring assembly 680 as shown in FIG. 505 is first installed. Then the upper spring assembly 682 is installed. Both the lower and upper spring assemblies 680, 682 are installed sliding down the rod 4. The upper spring assembly 682 may also use other spring assemblies disclosed herein, such as any upper and lower fasteners with a spring between, pre-compressed or not. The upper spring assembly includes a lower flex nut 228 fastener and an upper flex nut fastener 228 with the spring 3 therebetween, as shown in FIGS. 302-307 . The spring assemblies are activated by removing the clip 420 from the upper spring assembly and the spacer 672 from the lower spring assembly, as shown in FIG. 512 .

The upper and lower spring assemblies may also be installed before the rod is installed, as shown in FIGS. 513-516 . The lower and upper spring assemblies 680, 682 are first attached to the wall member 6. The rod 4 is then inserted from below, as shown in FIGS. 514-515 . The activation clip 420 and the spacer 672 are then removed to activate the spring assemblies 682, 680, as shown in FIG. 516 . This is advantageously useful when the walls are prefabricated in the factory and the rod 4 is installed in the field.

In the following description, a dowel nut fastener is disclosed.

Referring to FIGS. 517-529 , an assembly of a lower fastener and an upper fastener with a spring therebetween that has been implemented with various fasteners, such as split nut fasteners, flex nut fasteners, pin nut fasteners, roller nut fasteners, any combinations thereof, etc. as already disclosed herein may also be implemented with dowel nut fasteners 684.

A dowel nut fastener 684 includes a member 686 with a central opening 688 configured to receive the rod 4. The member 686 may be cylindrical. A plurality of angled holes 690 are disposed transversely around the cylindrical wall of the member 686, the holes 690 communicating with the central opening 688. Dowels 692 are disposed in the respective angled openings 690. The angled openings 690 are configured to cause the dowels to engage the threads of the rod by gravity. The end of the dowels may include grooves 694 corresponding to the threads of the rod, as shown in FIGS. 517-524 or flat, as shown in FIGS. 525-529 . An elastic band 696 around the cylindrical member 686 may be used to add to the gravitational force to urge the dowels 692 toward the rod, as shown in FIGS. 521-522 . A spring C-band may also be used.

Referring to FIGS. 519-520 , the grooves 694 at the end of the dowels 692 match the threads of the rod. When cylindrical member 686 is slid down the rod 4, the dowels 692 separate from the threads of the rod. When the cylindrical member 686 is forced upward, the grooves 694 lock onto the threads of the rod, preventing upward movement. Due to the angled holes 690, an upward force on the cylindrical member provides a component of force toward the rod to engage the threads of the rod. Similarly, a downward force on the cylindrical member 686 provides a component of force away from the rod to disengage the dowels 692 away from the rod. FIG. 519 shows all the dowels engaged. FIG. 520 shows the dowels of the lower cylindrical member disengaged as the spring 3 pushes the lower cylindrical member 686 down as the wall member 6 moves down.

Referring to FIGS. 523-524 , the angle of the holes 690 is preferably not parallel to the thread angle. The angle difference 695 between the angle of the holes and the angle of the thread is just past parallel, such as about 1°, is sufficient to lock the dowels to the rod threads against an upward force.

Referring to FIGS. 525-529 , the ends of the dowels engage the flanks 700 of the threads of the rod 4. Not all the dowels may be engaging the flanks at the same time. FIG. 527 shows the dowel 692 in the upper cylindrical member 686 engaging the flank of the threads of the rod 4 and dowel 692 in the lower cylindrical member 686 disengaged. FIG. 528 shows the dowels 692 in the upper and lower cylindrical members engaging the flanks of the threads of the rod 4. When engaged, the cylindrical surface 698 at the end portion of the dowel 692 engages the flank 700 of the thread of the rod, as shown in FIGS. 528-529 .

The various components disclosed herein are applied in reinforcing stud walls in a building. For example, in a 3-story building, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,762,030, herein incorporated by reference, the end of the tie rod on the third floor may be attached to a compressed main spring with force preferably equal to or greater than the weight of the rod to hold the rod taut and under tension. The main spring may be supported on the top plate, cross member, or bottom plate of the third-floor stud wall. The main spring is compressed solid (adjacent coils touching each other) so that uplift forces are resisted by the spring. Hold down fasteners with their respective actuation springs are attached to the rod at the bottom plates of the third-floor wall and the second-floor wall. Tension on the rod travels through the fasteners. The main spring provides tension to the rod while the hold down fasteners handle their respective uplift loads. The springs of the hold down fasteners are used only for actuation.

Several rod tension springs may be used to hold the tie rod straight and under tension. The rod tension springs are sized to lift preferably about ½ or greater than the weight of the tie rod below to the next spring or fastener to reduce buckling or bowing. Frictional resistance between the wall and the rod, such as the threads rubbing against the holes in the wall structures, may also be added in sizing the loading on the rod tension springs. Since larger diameter tie rod, such as 1 in., is used for the lower floor and smaller diameter tie rod, such as ⅜-½ in., in the upper floors, a stronger rod tension spring is used in the lower floor and lighter rod tension spring in the upper floors. The rod tension springs are subject to differential loading. The rod tension springs reduce or eliminate buckling or bowing of the tie rod. Hold down fasteners are used on each floor to handle uplift forces. The actuation springs of the hold down fasteners may be independent of the rod tension springs. The rod tension springs may also be used to actuate the respective hold down fasteners.

Throughout the disclosure, a spring provides tension to a single rod or multiple sections of the rods coupled together end-to-end so to extend to a location of the wall for a suitable connection to the wall framing element, bottom plate, top plate, beam, cross member, or bracket. The spring also may provide tension to the rod extending two or more floors, one spring provides force and tension to rods that extend from the lower floors, such as a spring located on the third level, where the spring is assisting or lifting the rods that are coupled below the third-floor level. This upper most spring can be operably connected along or at the upper-most end of the third level rod, allowing for multiple fasteners to be connected along the coupled rods below. The connected fasteners then will only require a spring designed for the maximum force and travel required at each location. The designed extension of the travel/tension spring depends on the location of the connected fastener between the upper-most tension spring. For example, the spring at the first level would be designed to expand ½″, the spring at the second level 1″ and the spring at the third level 1½″.

The spring pushing on connected fasteners are designed to provide the appropriate amount of expansion and force relative to how far away they are from the anchor. The first level may require ½″ of travel, the second level wall may require 1″ of travel, with the third floor requiring 1½″ of travel. The spring force and travel must be considered and designed correctly at each location. The consolidation or shrinkage of a building is collective per level, the upper levels experiencing displacement greater than the levels below. Each of the connections, be it a tension spring only, or a fastener with a travel/tension spring in combination, must be designed with the amount of force and travel required for each location along the coupled rod. The following factors may be considered in sizing the fastener actuation spring and the rod tension spring:

-   -   1. Spring travel and force per location     -   2. Spring force requirement for maximum travel.     -   3. Spring force for minimum tension designed per the weight of         the rod or rods below the lifting/tension spring.     -   4. Minimum spring travel required at the assigned connected         fastener location along the coupled rods.     -   5. Springs may be color coded for force, travel, size, or in         combination.     -   6. Spring forces and extension are designed with several methods         and requirements, such as:     -   a. Lifting and tension force of threaded rod.     -   b. Spring force to move a one-way fastener down or along a         threaded rod.     -   c. Spring force to provide both tension and fastener movement         along a threaded rod.     -   d. Spring to resist force at solid state when the coils are in         contact.     -   e. If the lower fastener fails the spring will compress to         solid. Therefore, the upper fastener is designed to resist load         to provide a fail-safe design.     -   f. A spring or spring/fastener combination are designed with the         diameter of the threaded rod in consideration, the force         required to lift the rod or coupled rods, and the attachment         location along the length of the rod or coupled rods.     -   g. The minimum and maximum spring expansion length from solid or         initial installation must be considered, the amount of shrinkage         and or consolidation of a building's floor and wall components         is required. The building number of stacking levels and coupled         threaded rod must be considered as well.

The present invention allows and provides for easier installation, speed of installation, hardware cost reduction, installation labor savings, simplifying of design, and most importantly solving the problem of loose seismic and high wind systems in low-rise building, advantageously allowing for safer buildings at a lower cost.

The rod tension spring disclosed herein is sized to lift preferably about one-half or greater of the weight of the rod below to avoid buckling or bowing. Keeping the rod under tension by means of the force provided by the rod tension spring will advantageously keep the rod straight and free from buckling or bowing. By keeping the rod straight, it then more easily able to travel through the wall member 6 and a hold down fastener as the wall moves down due to settlement or shrinkage. By providing the rod tension spring with force sufficient to lift preferably about ½ or greater than the weight of the rod below, the tendency of the rod to bow or buckle is reduced since half of the weight of the rod is now carried by the spring.

The rod tension spring is also sized to overcome the force required to push the fastener down toward the wall member when the wall moves down, in addition to lifting about one half or more of the weight of the rod below. An activation spring is designed for maximum travel with enough force left over at that point to activate a hold down fastener. A rod tension spring is designed for certain travel while lifting about one-half of the weight of the rod below. At the design travel, the rod tension spring will have enough force to lift preferably about one half or greater of the weight of the rod below. Separating the function of providing rod tension from actuating a hold down fastener advantageously simplifies the design process.

As disclosed herein, the various springs disclosed herein may be used to provide tension to the tie rod from compressed or stretched spring, provide both rod tension and fastener actuation from compressed spring, or provide fastener actuation only from compressed spring.

The various fasteners disclosed herein may be used to retain or operably attach the various springs to the tie rod. These fasteners are linear movement fasteners and include the flex nut fastener 228, the split nut fastener with partial thread engagement (FIG. 157 ), flex nut fastener with integrated spring (FIGS. 180, 182 ), two flex nut fasteners with a spring (FIGS. 305, 308 ), roller nut fastener 618 with two elements, pin nut fastener 326, single-pin clip nut fastener 358 and the clip nut fastener 344.

Other fasteners disclosed herein may be used to resist uplift forces on the building wall due to seismic or wind forces. They are linear movement fasteners and expandable fasteners. The linear movement fasteners include a split nut fastener 16, roller nut fastener 618 with multiple rollers, single-pin clip nut fastener 358 with multiple pin elements, and spring clip nut fastener 344 with multiple clip elements. These linear fasteners may also be used to hold or retain a spring to the rod. The expandable fasteners include, for example, the expandable fastener 368 and the torsional type expandable fastener 139.

The various fasteners and springs disclosed herein may be combined to provide a hold down system in a multi-level building wall. The following examples disclose several hold down systems.

Referring to FIG. 530A, a vertical run 702 for a hold down system in a 3-level building wall 704 is disclosed. The wall 704 includes a first level 706, a second level 708 and a third level 710. Each level includes a bottom plate 712, a top plate 714, and vertical studs 716. A cross member 718 may be provided in the first, second and third levels 706, 708, 710. The building wall 704 is supported on a foundation 720. The tie rod 4 is operably anchored in the foundation 720 and may extend through the top plate 714 in the third level 710. Although shown as continues, the tie rod 4 is necessarily made up of several lengths, typically 5-12 ft long, joined end-to-end with couplers.

The spring, fasteners and combination of spring and fasteners disclosed herein may be grouped into fastener types as follows:

Fastener Type Description 1 Rod tension spring (compressed or stretched) 2 Fastener with actuation spring operably attached to the tie rod 3 Fastener attached to the wall member 6 4 Fastener with rod tension spring, which also provides actuation force for the fastener

At each level, locations 722, 724 and 726 may be used to attach a type of fastener. Location 722 is disposed on the bottom plate 712. Location 724 is disposed on the cross member 718. Location 726 is disposed on the top plate 714. Not all locations or none at a particular level may be used. The specific locations and the type of fastener used would depend on the specific load expected. For some locations, for example location 724 in the third level, the location may be underneath the cross member 718 to accommodate the attachment of a pre-stretched spring 192 shown in FIG. 509 which is attached underneath the wall member.

For example, Type 4 fastener may be used at location 726 or 724 at the third level and another Type 4 fastener is located at location 724 in the second level. The spring of the Type 4 would be designed to pre-tension the tie rod so that preferably at least one-half of the weight the rod to location 724 is carried by the spring to advantageously reduce or eliminate buckling or bowing of the tie rod below so that the rod is kept straight to allow it to travel through the fastener when the wall moves down due to shrinkage or settlement. Similarly, the spring of Type 4 fastener in location 724 would be designed to carry preferably about one-half or greater of the weight of rod below up to the foundation 720 is carried by the spring to advantageously reduce or eliminate buckling or bowing of the tie rod below so that the rod is kept straight to allow it to travel through the Type 4 fastener when the wall moves down due to shrinkage or settlement.

Another example would be to use a Type 1 fastener at location 726 in the third level and a Type 3 fastener at location 724 in the third level. The spring of the Type 1 fastener would be designed to carry preferably at least one-half of the rod weight below up to the location of the foundation since Type 3 fastener does not have any spring that can help to carry some of the rod weight.

Referring to FIG. 530B, further examples of fastener sequencing in a 3-level building wall are disclosed.

Referring to FIGS. 531-532 , a vertical run 728 and 729 for a hold down system in a 3-level building wall 704 is disclosed. The L-bracket 642 at locations 730, 732, 734 in the vertical run 728, and locations 736, 738, 740 in the vertical run 729 may be used to attach a Type 2 and/or Type 4 fastener. Locations 726 may take a Type 1 or Type 4 fastener. In the vertical run 728, the L-brackets are attached to the studs 716 and spaced from the bottom plate 712 at each level. In the vertical run 729, the L-bracket is attached to the stud 716 and the cross member 718.

The tie rod 4 is kept from buckling or bowing by means of a Type 1 or Type 4 fastener at location 726. If a Type 2 fastener is disposed below, for example at location 738 or 732, the spring of the Type 1 or Type 4 fastener at location 726 will have to support preferably at least one-half of the rod weight below up to the foundation location to advantageously reduce or eliminate buckling or bowing of the tie rod below so that the rod is kept straight to allow it to travel through the Type 2 fastener when the wall moves down due to shrinkage or settlement. However, if a Type 4 fastener is used instead, then the Type 1 or Type 4 fastener at the location 726 would be designed to carry preferably at least one-half of the rod weight below up to the location 732 or 738, where the spring of the Type 4 fastener at location 732 or 738 would be designed to carry preferably about one-half or greater of the weight of the rod below up to the foundation location to advantageously reduce or eliminate buckling or bowing of the tie rod below so that the rod is kept straight to allow it to travel through the fastener when the wall moves down due to shrinkage or settlement.

Referring to FIGS. 533-534 , the wall 704 is reinforced using L-brackets 652 at locations 742, 744, 746. A hex nut fastener 14 is used in locations 742. A Type 2 fastener may be used in locations 744 and 746. Due to the short length of the rod 658, pre-tensioning the rod may not be necessary. The reinforcement arrangement advantageously connects the studs 716 at each level to the studs 716 in the next level to transfer the load directly from the studs 716 from one level to the next level, thereby bridging the gap between levels caused by the placement of the floor joists between the top plate of the lower level to the bottom plate of the higher level.

Referring to FIGS. 535-536 , the various fasteners disclosed herein may be modified where the fastener housing 754 includes a base 750, or an oversize flange 752 to allow attachment of the fastener to the wall member 6 with screws 755 or nails 757 to obviate the need of an actuation spring, similar to the attachment of the fastener 208 shown in FIG. 84 . The fastener housing may also be glued to the wall member, as shown in FIG. 537 or clamped to the wall member 6 with a member 756 overlying the housing 754 and attached with screws to the wall member 6, as shown in FIG. 538 .

Referring to FIGS. 530 and 539A-539C, a spring 758 may be disposed at location 724 in the first level, a spring 760 at location 724 in the second level and a spring 762 at location 726 in the third level. The springs 758, 760, 762 are associated with any the fasteners disclosed herein where the springs provide rod tension and actuation of the fasteners. Initially, the springs 758, 760 and 762 are compressed, as shown in FIG. 539A. As the wall 704 moves down due to shrinkage or settlement, the rod 4 will travel through the wall, the amount of travel being longest at the third level, less at the second level and least at the first level. The springs 758, 760, 762 will expand at the same amounts as the rod travel at each level, as shown in FIG. 539B. For example, assume the wall shrinks by ½″ at the first level, 1″ at the second level and 1½″ at the third level. The springs 758, 760, 762 are designed to expand to the corresponding shrinkage amounts and provide sufficient force at those points of travel to actuate its associated fastener and support preferably about one-half or greater of the weight of rod below to the next lower spring or fastener. Because the springs 758, 760, 762 are disposed in series, one on top of the other, the springs cooperate with each other. The spring 758 at the first level supports some of the weight of the rod below and the rod above. The spring 760 supports part of the weight of the rod below to the spring 758 and the rod above. The spring 762 at the third level supports part of the weight of the rod below. Due to the presence of the springs 760, 758 below, the spring 762 is not required to carry the weight of the rod below up to the foundation. Accordingly, the spring 762 designed to extend to 1½″ can be made less expensively than if the lower springs are not present. The springs 758, 760, 762 are shown at their free state (zero force) in FIG. 539C.

Referring to FIGS. 540A-540B, fasteners 764 already disclosed herein are attached to building wall members at the first and second levels, requiring no springs for actuation. A spring 766 is shown compressed between a lower fastener 768 and an upper fastener 770 in FIG. 540A and extended at the designed travel distance in FIG. 540B. The fasteners 768, 770 are one-way fasteners already disclosed herein. The spring 766 in the compressed state or at the designed extended state provides tension to the rod through the lower fastener 768 and through the fasteners 764 at the second and first levels and to the foundation. The spring 766 in providing tension to the rod is in effect lifting the rod through the lower fastener 768 and the other fasteners 764. The spring 766 provides tension in the rod through and below a fastener; and through multiple fasteners below. The spring 766 provides tension that flows down and through the fastener along the rod to the foundation. The spring 766 provides tension in the rod below and pushes the rod upward towards a fastener above. The spring force for providing tension is at the designed expansion. If the spring is not designed correctly for the elevation and accumulative of shrinkage on the upper floors, the springs will not have enough force to cause sufficient tension and fastener actuation. Two spring, one above the another, the upper spring assists the lower spring with creating additional tension in the rod below the lower spring.

Referring to FIGS. 541A-541B, the lower fastener 768 and the upper fastener 770 with the spring 766 in between are disposed on the second level. One of the fasteners 764 is attached to level 1 and the other fastener to level 3. The spring 766 is designed to provide tension to the rod 4 through the lower fastener and the fastener 764 below and to the foundation. The spring 766 also provides sufficient force at the designed travel to push the rod through the fastener attached to level 3. The spring 766 in effect lifts the rod through the fastener at level 1 and pushes it above through the fastener at level 3. Since the fasteners 764 do not have actuation springs, the fasteners depend on the action of pulling and pushing the rod to allow the fasteners to travel through the rod to compensate for wall shrinkage or settlement.

Referring to FIGS. 542A-542B, the spring 766 on the third level, the spring 766 at each level provides tension to the rod at the designed expansion, for example 1½″ at the third level, 1″ at the second level, and ½″ at the first level. If the spring is not designed correctly for the elevation and accumulative of shrinkage on the upper floors, the springs will not have enough force to cause sufficient tension and fastener actuation. Two spring, one above the another, the upper spring assists the lower spring with creating additional tension in the rod below the lower spring. Thus, The spring at level 3 helps the spring at level 2 in creating additional tension in the rod below level 2.

It should be understood that the various components shown herein in a particular configuration may be interchanged with other components shown in another configuration to arrive at a different configuration to provide a fastener or assembly of fasteners for providing wall reinforcement against tension forces generated by wind or seismic loads.

It should be understood that the various fasteners and springs disclosed herein can be mixed and matched to provide reinforcement to a building wall against uplift forces caused by earthquakes, hurricanes, windstorms, etc.

While this invention has been described as having preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, uses and/or adaptations following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims. 

1. A building wall, comprising: a) a stud wall including a horizontal wall member; b) a tie rod operably anchored in a foundation, the tie rod extending through the wall member; c) a first fastener and a second fastener attached to the tie rod, the first fastener and the second fastener being slidable down the tie rod, first fastener being operably disposed on the wall member and lockable to the tie rod in an upward direction to resist uplift forces from the stud wall, and the second fastener being disposed above the first fastener resist the spring; and d) a spring operably operating on the first fastener and the second fastener to urge the first fastener downwardly toward the wall member, the second fastener being disposed above the first fastener and lockable to the tie rod in the upward direction to restrain the spring.
 2. The building wall as in claim 1, wherein a lower end of the spring bears on a top portion of the first fastener, an upper end of the spring bears on a bottom portion of the second fastener.
 3. The building wall as in claim 1, wherein a lower end of the spring bears on a side wall of the first fastener, and an upper end of the spring bears on a side wall of the second fastener.
 4. The building wall as in claim 1, wherein the spring is disposed inside or outside a cylindrical tube disposed between the lower fastener and the upper fastener.
 5. The building wall as in claim 1, wherein alignment posts are provided to guide movement of the lower fastener relative to the upper fastener.
 6. The building wall as in claim 2, wherein the spring is disposed laterally of the tie rod.
 7. The building wall as in claim 6, wherein a washer is disposed between the hex nut fastener and the spring.
 8. The building wall as in claim 1, wherein: a) the second fastener bears on the first fastener before the spring expands; and b) the spring wraps around the first fastener and the second fastener.
 9. The building wall as in claim 1, wherein the spring is in a pre-compressed state prior to installation.
 10. The building wall as in claim 9, wherein the spring and the second fastener are joined together as a unit prior to activating the spring.
 11. The building wall as in claim 10, wherein a clip is removably attached to the second fastener to keep the spring in the pre-compressed state.
 12. The building wall as in claim 9, wherein the first fastener, the spring and the second fastener are joined together as a unit prior to activating the spring.
 13. The building wall as in claim 1, wherein: a) the first fastener and the second fastener each includes a flex nut fastener including a body with an opening for receiving a threaded tie rod; and b) the body including flexible fingers disposed in the opening, the flexible fingers for engaging the threads of the tie rod that allow sliding of the body along the tie rod in a first direction and resists movement in a second direction.
 14. The building wall as in claim 1, wherein: a) the first fastener and the second fastener each includes a split nut fastener including a plastic housing with a metal bottom wall; b) nut segments disposed on the metal bottom wall; c) the metal bottom wall including a ramp surface for guiding the nut segments away from the threads of the tie rod when the fastener is slid down the tie rod; and d) the housing including plastic springs for urging the nut segments toward the metal bottom wall to engage the threads of the tie rod.
 15. The building wall as in claim 1, wherein: a) the first fastener and the second fastener each includes a split nut fastener including a housing including a bottom wall with a ramp surface; b) nut segments disposed inside the housing; and c) a silicone body disposed inside the housing to urge the nut segments toward the bottom wall to engage the threads of the tie rod.
 16. The building wall as in claim 1, wherein: a) the first fastener and the second fastener each includes a split nut fastener including a housing including a bottom wall with a ramp surface; b) nut segments disposed inside the housing; and c) the housing including plastic springs for urging the nut segments toward the bottom wall to engage the threads of the tie rod.
 17. The building wall as in claim 1, wherein: a) the first fastener and the second fastener each includes a pin nut fastener including a body with an opening for receiving the tie rod; b) the body including an angled slot with a bottom portion opening into the opening; c) a pin disposed in the slot, the pin including a portion exposed in opening for engaging the threads of the tie rod, the pin being displaced upwardly into the slot when the cylindrical body is slid down the tie rod, the pin locking into the threads of the tie rod when the cylindrical body is urged upwardly along the tie rod.
 18. The building wall as in claim 1, wherein: a) the first fastener and the second fastener each includes a spring clip fastener including a body with an opening for receiving the tie rod; b) the body including a first angled slotted hole with a first bottom portion opening into the opening, and a second angled slotted hole with a second bottom portion opening into the opening, the first angled slotted hole being diametrically opposite the second angled slotted hole; and c) a spring clip including a first pin portion disposed in the first angled slotted hole, and a second pin portion disposed in the second angled slotted hole, the first pin portion and the second pin portion including respective intermediate portions exposed in the opening for engaging the threads of the tie rod; and d) the first pin portion and the second pin portion being displaced upwardly into the respective the first angled slotted hole and the second angled slotted hole when the body is slid downwardly along the tie rod, the respective intermediate portions locking into the threads of the tie rod when the second body is urged upwardly along the tie rod.
 19. The building wall as in claim 1, wherein: a) the first fastener and the second fastener each includes a single-pin clip fastener including a body with an opening for receiving the tie rod; b) the body including an angled slotted hole with a bottom portion opening into the opening; and c) the spring clip fastener including a pin portion disposed in the angled slotted hole, the pin portion including an intermediate portion exposed in the opening for engaging the threads of the tie rod, the pin portion being displaced upwardly into the slotted angled hole when the body is slid downwardly along the tie rod, the pin portion locking into the threads of the tie rod when the second body is urged upwardly along the tie rod.
 20. The building wall as in claim 1, wherein: a) the first fastener and the second fastener each includes a dowel nut fastener including a body with an opening for receiving the tie rod; b) the body including an angled hole disposed transversely into the body, the angled hole communicating with the opening; c) a dowel disposed in the angled hole for engaging the threads of the tie rod, with a bottom portion opening into the opening, the dowel being displaced upwardly into the angled hole when the body is slid downwardly along the tie rod, the dowel locking into the threads of the tie rod when the body is urged upwardly along the tie rod.
 21. The building wall as in claim 1, wherein: a) the second fastener includes a ring nut fastener including a sleeve member with an opening for receiving the threaded tie rod; and b) the sleeve member including a projection inside the opening for engaging the threads of the tie rod.
 22. The building wall as in claim 1, wherein: a) the first fastener or the second fastener includes a flex nut fastener including a body with an opening for receiving a threaded tie rod; and b) the body including flexible fingers disposed in the opening, the flexible fingers for engaging the threads of the tie rod that allow sliding of the body along the tie rod in a first direction and resists movement in a second direction.
 23. The building wall as in claim 1, wherein: a) the first fastener or the second fastener includes a split nut fastener including a plastic housing with a metal bottom wall; b) nut segments disposed on the metal bottom wall; c) the metal bottom wall including a ramp surface for guiding the nut segments away from the threads of the tie rod when the fastener is slid down the tie rod; and d) the housing including plastic springs for urging the nut segments toward the metal bottom wall to engage the threads of the tie rod.
 24. The building wall as in claim 1, wherein: a) the first fastener or the second fastener includes a split nut fastener including a housing including a bottom wall with a ramp surface; b) nut segments disposed inside the housing; and c) a silicone body disposed inside the housing to urge the nut segments toward the bottom wall to engage the threads of the tie rod.
 25. The building wall as in claim 1, wherein: a) the first fastener or the second fastener includes a split nut fastener including a housing including a bottom wall with a ramp surface; b) nut segments disposed inside the housing; and c) the housing including plastic springs for urging the nut segments toward the bottom wall to engage the threads of the tie rod.
 26. The building wall as in claim 1, wherein: a) the first fastener or the second fastener includes a pin nut fastener including a body with an opening for receiving the tie rod; b) the body including an angled slot with a bottom portion opening into the opening; c) a pin disposed in the slot, the pin including a portion exposed in opening for engaging the threads of the tie rod, the pin being displaced upwardly into the slot when the cylindrical body is slid down the tie rod, the pin locking into the threads of the tie rod when the cylindrical body is urged upwardly along the tie rod.
 27. The building wall as in claim 1, wherein: a) the first fastener or the second fastener includes a spring clip fastener including a body with an opening for receiving the tie rod; b) the body including a first angled slotted hole with a first bottom portion opening into the opening, and a second angled slotted hole with a second bottom portion opening into the opening, the first angled slotted hole being diametrically opposite the second angled slotted hole; and c) a spring clip including a first pin portion disposed in the first angled slotted hole, and a second pin portion disposed in the second angled slotted hole, the first pin portion and the second pin portion including respective intermediate portions exposed in the opening for engaging the threads of the tie rod; and d) the first pin portion and the second pin portion being displaced upwardly into the respective the first angled slotted hole and the second angled slotted hole when the body is slid downwardly along the tie rod, the respective intermediate portions locking into the threads of the tie rod when the second body is urged upwardly along the tie rod.
 28. The building wall as in claim 1, wherein: a) the first fastener or the second fastener includes a single-pin clip fastener including a body with an opening for receiving the tie rod; b) the body including an angled slotted hole with a bottom portion opening into the opening; and c) the spring clip fastener including a pin portion disposed in the angled slotted hole, the pin portion including an intermediate portion exposed in the opening for engaging the threads of the tie rod, the pin portion being displaced upwardly into the slotted angled hole when the body is slid downwardly along the tie rod, the pin portion locking into the threads of the tie rod when the second body is urged upwardly along the tie rod.
 29. The building wall as in claim 1, wherein: a) the first fastener or the second fastener includes a dowel nut fastener including a body with an opening for receiving the tie rod; b) the body including an angled hole disposed transversely into the body, the angled hole communicating with the opening; c) a dowel disposed in the angled hole for engaging the threads of the tie rod, with a bottom portion opening into the opening, the dowel being displaced upwardly into the angled hole when the body is slid downwardly along the tie rod, the dowel locking into the threads of the tie rod when the body is urged upwardly along the tie rod.
 30. A building wall, comprising: a) a stud wall including a horizontal wall member; b) a tie rod operably anchored to a foundation, the tie rod extending through the wall member, the tie rod having a weight below the wall member; and c) a spring having one end operably bearing on the wall member and an opposite end being operably fixed to the rod, the spring providing sufficient force at about ½ of the weight of the rod below the wall member to the next spring or fastener below. 31-47. (canceled)
 48. A building wall, comprising: a) a stud wall including a horizontal wall member; b) a tie rod operably anchored in a foundation, the tie rod extending through the wall member; and c) a spring disposed below the wall member, the spring having first end operably attached to the wall member and a second end being operably fixed to the rod, the spring being stretched to provide tension to the tie rod.
 49. (canceled)
 50. A building wall, comprising: a) a stud wall including a horizontal wall member; b) a tie rod operably anchored in a foundation, the tie rod extending through the wall member; c) an inner cylindrical member disposed inside an outer cylindrical member, the inner cylindrical member being operably attached to the tie rod inside the outer cylindrical member, the outer cylindrical member operably bearing on the wall member, the outer cylindrical member being movable in a downward direction relative to the inner cylindrical member, and lockable to the inner cylindrical member in an upward direction; and e) a first spring operably operating on the inner cylindrical member and the outer cylindrical member, the first spring urging the outer cylindrical member downward toward the wall member, the inner cylindrical member restraining the first spring in the upward direction. 51-57. (canceled)
 58. A building wall, comprising: a) a stud wall including a horizontal wall member; b) a tie rod operably anchored in a foundation, the tie rod extending through the stud wall; and c) a first fastener attached to the tie rod and the wall member, the first fastener being movable with the wall member in a downward direction, and lockable to the to the tie rod in an upward direction. 59-60. (canceled)
 61. A building wall, comprising: a) a stud wall including a horizontal wall member; b) a tie rod operably anchored in a foundation, the tie rod extending through the stud wall; c) a bracket attached to the stud wall, the bracket including a backwall, side walls and a bottom wall, the backwall being operably attached to the stud wall, the bottom wall being disposed on the wall member; d) a first fastener operably attached to the tie rod to bear on the bottom wall; and e) a spring operably attached to the tie rod and bearing on the first fastener, the first fastener being movable in a downward direction relative to the tie rod, and lockable to the to the tie rod in an upward direction.
 62. A building wall, comprising: a) a first stud wall including a top plate and a second stud wall above the first stud wall, the second stud wall including a bottom plate; b) a rod extending through the top plate and the bottom plate; c) a first bracket operably attached to the first stud wall and the top plate, the first bracket including a first backwall and a first bottom wall; d) a second bracket operably attached to the second stud wall and the bottom plate, the second bracket including a second backwall and a second bottom wall; e) a first fastener operably attached to the rod to bear on the first bottom wall; and f) a second fastener to bear on the second bottom wall.
 63. A fastener for attaching a threaded tie rod to a wall member, the fastener comprising: a) a body with an opening for receiving a threaded tie rod; and b) the body including flexible fingers disposed in the opening, the flexible fingers for engaging the threads of the tie rod that allow sliding of the body along the tie rod in a first direction and resists movement in a second direction.
 64. A fastener for attaching a threaded tie rod to a wall member, the fastener comprising: a) a plastic housing with a metal bottom wall; b) nut segments disposed on the metal bottom wall; c) the metal bottom wall including a ramp surface for guiding the nut segments away from the threads of the tie rod when the fastener is slid down the tie rod; and d) the housing including plastic springs for urging the nut segments toward the metal bottom wall to engage the threads of the tie rod.
 65. A fastener for attaching a threaded tie rod to a wall member, the fastener comprising: a) a housing including a bottom wall with a ramp surface; b) nut segments disposed inside the housing; and c) a silicone body disposed inside the housing to urge the nut segments toward the bottom wall to engage the threads of the tie rod.
 66. A fastener for attaching a threaded tie rod to a wall member, the fastener comprising: a) a housing including a bottom wall with a ramp surface; b) nut segments disposed inside the housing; and c) the housing including plastic springs for urging the nut segments toward the bottom wall to engage the threads of the tie rod.
 67. A fastener for attaching a threaded tie rod to a wall member, the fastener comprising: a) a sleeve member with an opening for receiving the threaded tie rod; and b) the sleeve member including a projection inside the opening for engaging the threads of the tie rod.
 68. A fastener for attaching a threaded tie rod to a wall member, the fastener comprising: a) a cylindrical body with an opening for receiving the tie rod; b) the body including an angled slot with a bottom portion opening into the opening; and c) a pin disposed in the slot, the pin including a portion exposed in opening for engaging the threads of the tie rod, the pin being displaced upwardly into the slot when the cylindrical body is slid down the tie rod, the pin locking into the threads of the tie rod when the cylindrical body is urged upwardly along the tie rod.
 69. A fastener for attaching a threaded tie rod to a wall member, the fastener comprising: a) a body with an opening for receiving the tie rod; b) the body including a first angled slotted hole with a first bottom portion opening into the opening, and a second angled slotted hole with a second bottom portion opening into the opening, the first angled slotted hole being diametrically opposite the second angled slotted hole; c) a spring clip including a first pin portion disposed in the first angled slotted hole, and a second pin portion disposed in the second angled slotted hole, the first pin portion and the second pin portion including respective intermediate portions exposed in the opening for engaging the threads of the tie rod; and d) the first pin portion and the second pin portion being displaced upwardly into the respective the first angled slotted hole and the second angled slotted hole when the body is slid downwardly along the tie rod, the respective intermediate portions locking into the threads of the tie rod when the second body is urged upwardly along the tie rod.
 70. A fastener for attaching a threaded tie rod to a wall member, the fastener comprising: a) a body with an opening for receiving the tie rod; b) the body including an angled slotted hole with a bottom portion opening into the opening; and c) the spring clip fastener including a pin portion disposed in the angled slotted hole, the pin portion including an intermediate portion exposed in the opening for engaging the threads of the tie rod, the pin portion being displaced upwardly into the slotted angled hole when the body is slid downwardly along the tie rod, the pin portion locking into the threads of the tie rod when the second body is urged upwardly along the tie rod.
 71. A fastener for attaching a threaded tie rod to a wall member, the fastener comprising: a) a body with an opening for receiving the tie rod; b) the body including an angled hole disposed transversely into the body, the angled hole communicating with the opening; and c) a dowel disposed in the angled hole for engaging the threads of the tie rod, with a bottom portion opening into the opening, the dowel being displaced upwardly into the angled hole when the body is slid downwardly along the tie rod, the dowel locking into the threads of the tie rod when the body is urged upwardly along the tie rod.
 72. A fastener assembly for attaching a threaded tie rod to a wall member, the fastener assembly comprising: a) a first fastener and a second fastener, the first fastener being distinct and separate from the second fastener; b) a pre-compressed spring operably attached to the first fastener and the second fastener as a single unit; and c) the first fastener and the second fastener are slidable down the tie rod and lockable to the threads of the tie rod when pushed up along the tie rod.
 73. A pre-compressed spring assembly for attachment to a tie rod in a building wall, comprising: a) coil spring in a pre-compressed state, the coil spring having sufficient diameter to slide down the tie rod; and b) a restraint to keep the spring in the compressed state, the restraint being releasable to activate the spring after installation.
 74. A building wall, comprising: a) a stud wall including a horizontal wall member; b) a tie rod operably anchored in a foundation, the tie rod extending through the wall member; c) a first bearing plate disposed on the wall member and a second bearing plate above the first bearing plate, the second bearing plate being operably attached to the tie rod; d) a first spring and a second spring disposed laterally of the tie rod, the first spring and second spring being disposed between the first bearing plate and the second bearing plate, the first spring and the second spring providing tension to the tie rod; e) a first guide rod and a second guide rod being operably attached to the first bearing plate and extending through the first spring and the second spring, respectively, and the second bearing plate; and f) a fastener attached to the tie rod, the fastener being disposed between the first bearing plate and the second bearing plate, the fastener being operably disposed on the wall member and lockable to the tie rod in an upward direction to resist uplift forces from the stud wall. 